Cardinals Get Their Chances, Still Down 14-7 at Halftime
By Scott Allen
Oct 21, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) carries the ball during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Cardinals quarterback John Skelton fumbled at the end of a long drive at the end of the first quarter. Then he got the ball back quickly after a Cards Paris Lenon interception of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder to give the Cards great field possession. They capitalized with a LaRod Stephens-Howling touchdown run. It was 7-7 at that point. The Vikings went on a long drive to give them a 14-7 halftime lead. It didn’t have to be that way though.
The Cards had their chances. They practically begged the Vikings to score their second touchdown after a couple of really bad penalties on Patrick Peterson and Darnell Dockett. Skelton didn’t move the ball as well in the second quarter.
Then at the end of the first half, Ponder made a really dumb choice of throwing a pass instead of taking a knee and gave the Cards yet another chance to score. Cards kicker Jay Feely though missed a 47-yard field goal. Two misses in a row now for Feely. You have to start to wonder if the Cards really want to win? No excuses for not coming away with a field goal there at the end. The defense has a couple of picks which is nice but the penalties can not continue to happen. Penalties have led to both Vikings touchdowns.