Cardinals vs. Vikings: Full highlights and final score

The Arizona Cardinals beat the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. 

While the hype in the NFL remains the Panthers, Patriots and Packers — the Cardinals have quietly become the best team in the league and perhaps the most potent threat to win the Super Bowl. They just can’t help but be cool and calm under pressure — something we saw on Thursday night against the Vikings.

Credit goes to the Vikings in a big way though, as they came into Arizona against a superior team and managed to stay in it right to the very end. Mike Zimmer said the team needed a signature win against a superior team, something they nearly got on Thursday against the Cardinals.

Three Stars

1. Carson Palmer

There are discussions about Cam Newton being the MVP of the league, but Carson Palmer week in and week out makes his case as the best quarterback in the NFL right now. He’s not Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers or Peyton Manning — but he has his team in a better position than all three of those quarterbacks to win the Super Bowl. That’s a display we saw on Thursday when Palmer stayed cool and collected to get the Cardinals a huge win that punches their playoff ticket before any of those three aforementioned quarterbacks have.

2. Larry Fitzgerald

Once a No.1 option with a bullet, Fitzgerald has become a mercenary in the Cardinals offense and it’s worked out almost better than it did when he was a top option. He went over 100 yards receiving on the night and was always in the right place at the right time. Everything about the Cardinals is underrated, as just like how Palmer is probably the best quarterback in the NFL right now, Fitzgerald might quietly be the best receiver.

3. Adrian Peterson

Last week was an embarrassment for Adrian Peterson, but he more than made up for it this week. He maybe not so lightheartedly said that he would be fresh this week because last week was so terrible, and he came out guns blazing in Arizona. AD scored his 100th career touchdown in the first quarter, but also fumbled away a huge possession for the Vikings that set back their momentum. Still, Peterson was back with a force, and he was a big part of why the Vikings were in this game to the end.

Odds

The Cardinals were 7.5 point favorites and very much did not cover that in a 23-20 win.

Next Week

Arizona will look to lock up a first-round bye against the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Vikings will try to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Bears.