Cardinals Put Vikings On Notice!

By: Larry Fitzgerald
Glendale, Arizona
Originally posted 12/10/2009

It's so unpredictable in the NFL that is, two teams New Orleans and Indianapolis both undefeated at 12-0, first time in history that two teams were perfect in December. Peyton Manning and the Colts have won

21 straight games. Manning is the first quarterback in league history to throw at least 25 touchdown passes in 12 straight seasons. While the marching Saints have scored a league high 440 points, quarterback Drew Brees leads all passers with a QB rating of 111.3 and 29 TD passes.

The Vikings (10-2) lost 30-17 on the road to defending NFC Champion Arizona (8-4) in a game that featured two first place teams two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks and two of the games brightest young stars.

Adrian Peterson of the Vikings and Larry Fitzgerald Jr of Arizona have been voted MVP of the Pro Bowl the last two years. Fitzgerald the former Vikings ball boy got the best of Peterson and his home town Vikings. Fitzgerald had 8 catches for 143 yards and scored his 10th touchdown of the season. While Peterson was held in check with just 19 yards rushing on 13 carries.

 

"We knew we would have our hands full with these guys. Fitzgerald said, I'm really proud of the way ours guys responded to adversity early. We bounced back and kept fighting." The Cardinals were led by Warner he completed 22 of 32 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns. " He's a warrior (Warner)to go out their and play and not only play but at the level he played at was amazing. Said Fitzgerald," We really fed off of him and the way Anquan came out early he's just a heck of a football player. He made some tremendous plays for us early too." Fitzgerald set a franchise record it was his third straight season with at least 10 touchdowns.

It was just the second lost for the NFC North leading Vikings in the race with New Orleans for the top seed in the NFC. While the Cardinals have their best record through 12 games since 1976. The lost was costly for the Vikings losing star linebacker E.J. Henderson for the season with a broken leg.

Suddenly the Vikings del ph is being tested two starters did not play right guard Anthony Herera missed his second straight and cornerback Antione Winfield missed his sixth consecutive game. Both big Viking offensive tackles Phil Loadholt and Bryant McKinnie had injuries and left the game. Both later returned however the Cardinals established how physical they were. Vikings Head Coach Brad Childress said, on Monday when asked about the health of team," Our ego's are extremely bruised." This week the Vikings return home to play the AFC North leading Cincinnati Bengals ((9-3). The Vikings are 6-0 at home so far and average 30 points a game.

Warner went after the Vikings secondary after the Cardinals established that they could block the Vikings mighty front four. Warner tossed touchdown passes to Anquan Bolden of 2, and 39 yards and 34 yards to Fitzgerald. Warner has now had a passer rating of 120.0 in four consecutive games, joining Hall of Famer Johnny Unitas as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat. Warner was named the NFC's Offensive Player of the Week. Arizona's offensive line got the job done up front knocking the Vikings off the ball and holding them with out a sack. The Cardinals ran for 113 yards the Vikings were held to 62 yards rushing.

Once the Cardinals stretched their lead to 24-10 in the third quarter the Vikings became one dimensional. Farve had to start throwing more and the Cardinals brought the pressure sacking Farve three times and intercepting him twice. Safety Adrian Wilson dropped two potential interceptions also. The Cardinals will be featured in prime time again next when they travel to San Francisco. The Cardinals can clinch the NFC West this week with a win Monday Night against the 49ers. Arizona is 5-1 on the road this season.

Larry Fitzgerald can be heard weekday mornings on KMOJ Radio 89.9 FM at 8:20 am, and on WDGY-AM 740 Monday & Saturday mornings at 7:50 am and Fridays at 3:50 pm; he also commentates on sports 7-8 pm on Almanac (TPT channel 2). Larry welcomes reader responses to lfitzgerald@spokesman-recorder.com , or visit www.Larry-Fitzgerald.com .