The Vikings beat the Cardinals 23-22 with a late touchdown

The Vikings didn’t score a touchdown until late in the third quarter and heard boos from the home crowd in their first game at US Bank Stadium since Nov. 3. They ended the day with the stadium at full volume, roaring after Shaq Griffin defeated Kyler Murray and secured a points victory.

They picked up a 23-22 victory over the Cardinals on Sunday, winning their fifth straight game and improving to 10-2. Aaron Jones – who had been briefly removed from the game after recovering two fumbles and botching a rushing touchdown attempt in the third quarter – got the go-ahead touchdown from Sam Darnold with 1:18 left.

Jonathan Greenard had a strip sack on the Cardinals’ final series before chasing Kyler Murray in a scramble. On fourth down, Murray threw before pressure, but Griffin covered Marvin Harrison Jr. well and undercut the throw for the fourth overall pick in the draft.

Why it happened: Although the Cardinals outscored the Vikings 406-273 and led 19-6 late in the third quarter, the Vikings scored 17 points in the final 16-17 while their defense forced two turnovers to end the game. The defense was 35-49 on the field and lost cornerback Stephon Gilmore while safety Harrison Smith briefly left the game. But the defense got the stops it needed as Sam Darnold went 7 of 12 for 104 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

What it means: At 10-2, the Vikings are still just one game behind the Lions in the NFC North and one game ahead of the Packers for the top wild-card spot. They won last week, blowing an 11-point lead; They won on Sunday with a 13-point comeback. In both cases, they got great QB play from Darnold in the biggest moments of the game.

Course of the game: With the Vikings trailing by six points and facing a fourth-and-5 with 2:10 left, Darnold found Jefferson for 12 yards in the middle of the Cardinals’ zone before the quarterback parried a hit. The play kept the drive alive and Darnold hit Jones for the game-winner.

Turning point: Trailing 19-6, the Vikings put together their best and most efficient drive of the day, traveling 70 yards in six plays to get within six yards with 1:24 left in the third quarter. They lined up in a strong formation where Darnold looked for CJ Ham on a fade route before working back to Johnny Mundt to make the score 19-13.

Next: The middle game of the Vikings’ three-game homestand is one of their most anticipated games of the season. Kirk Cousins, coming off a game with four interceptions in the Falcons’ loss to the Chargers, returns to US Bank Stadium next Sunday for a noon game that could be a first-round playoff preview.