Array of approaches kept Cardinals off balance

Minnesota's array of approaches kept Arizona off balance and led to some of the Vikings' biggest plays.

November 20, 2016 at 9:18PM
Adam Thielen (19) hauled in a pass for a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - November 20, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, US Bank Stadium, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals
Adam Thielen (19) hauled in a pass for a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter. ] CARLOS GONZALEZ cgonzalez@startribune.com - November 20, 2016, Minneapolis, MN, US Bank Stadium, NFL, Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals (Brian Stensaas — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Vikings beat Arizona, 30-24, despite another botched extra point and because of a 104-yard kickoff return and a 100-yard interception return,but what grabbed me was the way Pat Shurmur ran the offense.

That will be the subject of my Monday column, but in brief, he kept Sam Bradford alive behind a struggling offensive line and found ways to move the ball with creativity and short passing, and by picking on the Cardinals' cornerbacks not named Patrick Peterson.

I don't know that I've ever seen more formations from one team in one game, and the array of approaches kept Arizona off balance and led to some of the Vikings' biggest plays.

The Vikings will play in Detroit on Thursday for first place in the NFC North. And both teams will demonstrate offenses that rely on an accurate quarterback throwing short passes and avoiding relying on a mediocre running game.

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about the writer

about the writer

Jim Souhan

Columnist

Jim Souhan is a sports columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He has worked at the paper since 1990, previously covering the Twins and Vikings.

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