Murray, Thielen lift Vikings
RB gains 155 yards; WR has sixth 100-yard game in row
MINNEAPOLIS — The Vikings played a back-to-the-basics game, leaning on Latavius Murray’s powerful legs and a smothering defense that was in prime form.
The Cardinals just couldn’t keep up on either front.
Murray helped the Vikings revive their running attack with a career-high 155 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries, wearing down the Cardinals on the way to a 27-17 victory Sunday.
“I don’t want to sit here and say that we cracked the code because they have been vulnerable to the run game, so we have to be honest about that on all levels,” Murray said. “But I will say I feel we’re capable of running the ball that way, no matter who we’re playing.”
Starting in place of Dalvin Cook (hamstring) for the third time in the last four games, Murray had 66 yards by halftime to top the team average over the first five games. The previous long gain by a Vikings running back was Cook’s 15-yarder in the season opener, which Murray topped four times against a Cardinals defense that entered the game allowing the second-most rushing yards in the league.
“If you allow teams to rush for almost 200 yards on you, you’re not going to win that game,” Cardinals defensive tackle Corey Peters said. “That’s kind of been our thing all year, and that’s why we’re 1-5.”
Even Kirk Cousins joined the fun for the Vikings (3-2-1) with an option-style run across the goal line in the third quarter before throwing to Adam Thielen for a score on the next possession. The Vikings celebrated their touchdowns with a choreographed, clumsy “deadarm” dance that Thielen recalled from college.
Thielen had 11 receptions for 123 yards, his sixth consecutive 100yard game to become the first player in the NFL since 1961 to start a season with a streak that long. Thielen’s 58 catches are the most in league history through six games.
Budda Baker returned a fumble off a sack by Chandler Jones for a 36-yard touchdown, and Tre Boston had a diving interception later in the second quarter.
The Cardinals constantly pressured Cousins with four sacks, seven hits and seven deflected passes. He leads the league with five lost fumbles.
Cousins still completed 24 of 34 passes for 233 yards, thanks mostly to Thielen and his exceptional ability to get open anywhere on the field and turn off-target throws into clutch catches. He made a toe-dragging sideline grab on third-and-13 right at the first-down marker to extend the opening possession of the third quarter, before capping the drive in the end zone with a 13-yard reception on a seam route.