Vikings take air out of this victory
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings likely will have to surpass 58 yards passing to stay in the playoff chase. For now, Adrian Peterson and a relentless pass rush suffice.
Peterson ran 23 times for a season-high 153 yards and a first-quarter touchdown, and the Vikings survived a dreadful second half to beat the Cardinals.
"The way we've tried to structure our team, the philosophy lends itself to winning games like this when you are not completing a lot of balls down the field in a league where so many say that's the way you have to win," coach Leslie Frazier said, adding: "That's a formula for success."
Christian Ponder, a former FSU star, threw a second-quarter TD to former Florida standout Percy Harvin, but he had only one completion for 4 yards in the second half as the Vikings punted five straight times. Ponder threw for 58 yards total and had two picks.
Vikings rookie safety Harrison Smith returned an interception 31 yards for a score in the third quarter, and Minnesota sacked John Skelton seven times. Arizona has allowed a league-high 35 sacks.
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