Just as it was starting to feel like the Minnesota Vikings could possibly pull off an enormous upset in Arizona, with the Cardinals on their heels during the first drive to open the second half, the Vikings found a way to pull the plug on their own progress.
And then can blame it all on offensive coordinator Norv Turner.
After churning up completed passes and a string of first downs through a basic, straightforward, low-risk approach, the Vikings dialed up a trick play. It started as a handoff to Adrian Peterson and was supposed to continue with a handoff to receiver Mike Wallace, who was moving right to left.
But the Cardinals got through the line and hit Peterson, caused him to fumble the ball while holding it out for Wallace.
The score remains 10-10. But for receiver Jarius Wright’s first-half fumble deep in Arizona territory and the latest blunder, the Vikings could be winning by one or two scores.
Instead, the Cardinals took the ball right down the field for a touchdown, and the home team now leads 17-10.
