If you want to understand the sheer chaos of the NFL, look no further than the Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals matchup on December 1, 2024. Football isn't always about the prettiest plays or the biggest blowout. Sometimes, it’s about watching a team dominate every single statistical category and still find a way to break their fans' hearts in the final sixty seconds.
Minnesota walked away with a 23-22 victory that day. But honestly? They probably shouldn't have.
The Cardinals outgained the Vikings by 133 yards. They controlled the clock for nearly 40 minutes. They sacked Sam Darnold five times. Yet, when the clock hit zero at U.S. Bank Stadium, the purple jerseys were the ones celebrating their fifth straight win while Kyler Murray sat at his locker, staring into space.
The Meltdown in Minneapolis
For three quarters, Arizona looked like the better team. Period. They had built a 19-6 lead late in the third quarter, and the Vikings offense looked completely stuck in the mud. Marvin Harrison Jr. was out there hauling in a 15-yard touchdown that felt like the dagger. You could almost hear the air being sucked out of the stadium.
But the NFL is a game of "what ifs."
What if the Cardinals hadn't committed 10 penalties? What if Jonathan Gannon had gone for it on fourth-and-goal instead of settling for one of Chad Ryland’s five field goals? Arizona basically lived in the red zone but refused to move in. They favored safe, underneath throws and inside runs, which worked for a while until it didn't.
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Sam Darnold’s Redemption Arc
Sam Darnold isn't perfect. We know this. But in the fourth quarter of the Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals game, he played like a man possessed. He threw for 104 of his 235 yards in that final frame alone.
The drive that mattered most started with 3:20 left. Minnesota trailed 22-16. Darnold didn't panic. He hit Justin Jefferson for a quick gain, then found Jordan Addison for a massive 26-yard chunk that flipped the field. Then came the moment that changed everything: a 5-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Jones with just 1:13 remaining.
Justin Jefferson vs the Arizona Blitz
The Cardinals knew they had to stop #18. They threw everything at him. Blitzes, double teams, you name it.
Jefferson finished with 7 catches for 99 yards. It wasn't his most explosive day, but his impact was felt in the "dirty" yards. On a crucial fourth-and-6 during that final winning drive, Darnold went to Jefferson on an underneath route. He fought for the first down at the Arizona 34. Without that catch, the game is over.
It’s these small, gritty moments in the Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals rivalry that remind you why Jefferson is paid the big bucks. He doesn't just catch the 50-yard bombs; he converts the fourth downs when the season is on the line.
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Kyler Murray’s Two-Interception Disaster
Kyler Murray is a highlight machine, but the 2024 meeting in Minnesota showed his "dark side." He threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Both were brutal.
The first one was a desperate heave under pressure that Byron Murphy—a former Cardinal, no less—snagged at the Minnesota 32. It was a classic "hero ball" mistake. The second one came after the Vikings had taken the lead. Arizona had a chance to march down and kick a field goal to win it. Instead, Shaquill Griffin picked off a desperation throw on fourth down with 40 seconds left.
The Historical Context
The Vikings now hold an 18-12 all-time lead over the Cardinals. Interestingly, Minnesota has won 12 straight home games against this franchise. Arizona hasn't won a road game against the Vikings since 1977. Back then, they were the St. Louis Cardinals. Think about that for a second. That is nearly half a century of futility in the Twin Cities.
This specific Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals matchup was the seventh time in their last nine meetings that they played in Minnesota. The scheduling gods clearly have a sense of humor.
Key Stats from the 2024 Battle
- Final Score: Vikings 23, Cardinals 22.
- Total Yards: Cardinals 406, Vikings 273.
- Sacks: Cardinals 5, Vikings 1.
- Turnovers: Cardinals 2, Vikings 0.
- Rushing: Arizona's run defense, usually a sieve, actually held up fairly well, but James Conner still managed 68 yards on the ground.
Why This Game Mattered for the Standings
At the time, the Vikings were chasing the Detroit Lions for the NFC North crown. This win moved them to 10-2, keeping them within a game of the division lead. For the Cardinals, the loss was a gut punch. It dropped them to 6-6 and put them a full game behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.
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It was the difference between being a serious playoff contender and a team fighting for its life in the wild-card race.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at future matchups between these two, there are a few things you can actually take to the bank.
- Ignore the Yardage: The Vikings under Kevin O'Connell are comfortable being outgained if they win the turnover battle. They are an opportunistic team.
- The U.S. Bank Stadium Factor: Do not bet on Arizona in Minneapolis. The historical trend isn't just a fluke; the crowd noise and the dome environment seem to specifically rattle the Cardinals' offensive communication.
- Watch the Red Zone Efficiency: Arizona's tendency to settle for field goals (five in this game!) is a systemic issue. If they are playing a high-scoring offense like Minnesota's, field goals will eventually lose them the game.
- The Byron Murphy Revenge Factor: Players love playing their former teams. Murphy’s interception wasn't an accident; he knew Murray's tendencies and exploited them.
The Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals rivalry isn't the most famous in the NFL, but it consistently produces these weird, high-stakes games that defy logic. If you want to see how a team can win while losing almost every statistical battle, just watch the tape of December 1st. It’s a masterclass in survival.
To keep up with the next chapter of this rivalry, keep a close eye on the injury reports for Minnesota’s secondary. As we saw when Stephon Gilmore went down in the second quarter of this game, the Vikings' defense becomes a completely different—and much more vulnerable—unit without their veteran anchors.