Highlights: Cardinals Defeat Vikings in Preseason Finale

The Arizona Cardinals concluded preseason action against the Minnesota Vikings. Here's how the action panned out.

To conclude preseason action, the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Minnesota Vikings in 18-17 fashion on Saturday. 

The next time the Cardinals take the field, they'll be in Washington for Week 1 of the regular season.

Until then, here's how the action unfolded in Minnesota:

First Quarter

The Minnesota Vikings - led by Jaren Hall - marched their offense on a ten-play, 70-yard scoring drive that was capped by a one-yard rush by Dewayne McBride to open the scoring.

Got it done on the ground! @Debo323232

📺: @FOX9 pic.twitter.com/9IcXjvJlpY

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 26, 2023

Vikings 7, Cardinals 0

On the ensuing drive, Clayton Tune led Arizona's offense out for their first time with no success. On a third-down play, Tune was rocked by a blitzing Vikings defense and fumbled the ball. 

Vikings rookie Jay Ward comes through with a huge strip sack

📱: Stream #AZvsMIN on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/4IrM6W7XAR

— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2023

The very next play, Hall found Abram Smith for Minnesota's second touchdown of the day.

Jaren Hall touchdown pass to Abram Smith, right on the mark pic.twitter.com/T16t7yrcXE

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) August 26, 2023

Vikings 14, Cardinals 0

Tune would recover and take the Cardinals down the field with a series of impressive throws before ultimately settling on 38-yard Matt Prater field goal to get on the scoreboard. 

Vikings 14, Cardinals 3

Second Quarter

The Cardinals were forced to punt on their next possession and nearly recovered a fumble inside Minnesota's five-yard line but somehow didn't come up with the ball despite several white jerseys around the ball. 

After receiving a punt back, the Cardinals put themselves into potential scoring positions before Prater was trotted out for another field goal - though his attempt was partially tipped and was no good. 

Hall again marched Minnesota down to add more points on the board, this time coming in the form of a 26-yard field goal from Greg Joseph with seconds to go in the half.

Vikings 17, Cardinals 3

Third Quarter

Under the guidance of David Blough, the Cardinals finally reached the end zone on an incredible throw-and-catch with Davion Davis on the receiving end:

GO UP AND GET IT THEN 😤@14DDavis x #BirdGang pic.twitter.com/rmk3hBqut5

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2023

Prater missed the extra point. 

Vikings 17, Cardinals 9

Fourth Quarter

Blough- known for his magic tricks in meeting rooms, pulled some magic to get into the end zone on a quarterback keeper early in the fourth quarter.

Their two-point conversion to tie the game was unsuccessful.

Vikings 17, Cardinals 15

On the ensuing drive, Hall was picked by Cardinals DB Sean Chandler.

OUR BALL!!! pic.twitter.com/9ljlCHGI1H

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 26, 2023

Prater drove home the field goal to take the lead with 6:20 remaining in the ball game.

Cardinals 18, Vikings 17

The Vikings narrowly took the lead back with over two minutes left, gaining a few first downs and setting Joseph up for a 54-yard attempt that sailed to the right. 

On a fourth down inside their own 20, the Vikings turned the ball over on downs and Arizona kneeled down the clock to zero to secure the win.