Ron Wolfley said inability to control line of scrimmage led to Arizona Cardinals loss vs. Vikings
Nov 1, 2022, 4:25 AM
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a one handed catch for a touchdown as Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) defends during the second quarter of an NFL football game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Minnesota beat Arizona, 34-26. (John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images)
(John Autey / MediaNews Group / St. Paul Pioneer Press via Getty Images)
PHOENIX — The Cardinals could not capitalize on wideout DeAndre Hopkins’ massive game vs. the Minnesota Vikings, resulting in Arizona’s third loss in four games.
The 34-26 loss was centered behind both the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage, Cardinals radio analyst and sports talk host Ron Wolfley believes, as Minnesota (6-1) ran the ball for an average of 6.0 yards per carry on 29 rushes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Arizona mustered 78 yards on 22 carries, 36 of which were by quarterback Kyler Murray.
“The Minnesota Vikings controlled the line of scrimmage,” Wolfley told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Monday.
“They were able to run the ball effectively, especially in that first half in run-down situations… Even though Minnesota is a throw-first team, they lined up with Dalvin Cook and ran the ball, and ran the ball effectively.”
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The Cardinals (3-5), once again, failed to score a touchdown in the first quarter and faced a 14-3 deficit midway through the second quarter.
This first touchdown of the game was a jaw-dropping one-handed snag by Hopkins. He finished the game with 12 catches for 159 yards and the score. Arizona rattled off 14 straight points and took a 17-14 lead, the team’s only lead of the game.
“The impact (Hopkins) has made on this offense is significant,” Wolfley said. “Although, it’s not the best for your offense is so dependent on one wide receiver clarifying the picture for your QB and making yopur offense effective.”
Arizona allowed a touchdown, threw an interception on the first play of the following drive and allowed a touchdown four plays later resulting in a 14-point swing just 13 plays after taking the lead.
The Cardinals were missing three of their starting offensive linemen, a huge reason why the run game was virtually non-existent.
Arizona scored 16 second half point but allowed turned the ball over three times on Sunday and could not overcome the Purple People Eaters. The Cardinals have lost two straight road games after winning its first two.
Listen to every Arizona Cardinals game on Arizona Sports 98.7.
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