Minnesota Vikings Finally Play Complete Game In 34-10 Rout Of Arizona Cardinals

For the first time all season, the Minnesota Vikings played four good, solid quarters of football as they ripped the Arizona Cardinals at the Metrodome on Sunday afternoon by a score of 34-10.

The Vikings were paced by a huge first quarter, in which they tied a franchise record by scoring 28 points in the game's first fifteen minutes. The only other time they've accomplished that was in a blowout victory over the Green Bay Packers on September 28, 1986. The four touchdowns in that game were all touchdown passes by Tommy Kramer. . .the four touchdowns the Vikings got today all came via the ground, with three from Adrian Peterson (from 4, 24, and 14 yards) and a 4-yard run by Donovan McNabb.

The defense keyed the fast start as well, as they were dominant in the first quarter of play. The Cardinals' first 13 offensive plays consisted of three three-and-outs, two turnovers, another fumble that went out of bounds, and one completed pass. Jared Allen and Brian Robison each had two sacks on the afternoon, and JaMarca Sanford intercepted two Kevin Kolb passes on the afternoon, with Asher Allen throwing in a third.

By the way, as I pointed out in the Game Thread, the two interceptions for Sanford means that he now has exactly the same number of catches in 2011 that Bernard Berrian does. Also, the Vikings are 1-0 in games in which Bernard Berrian is deactivated, and his replacement, Devin Aromashodu, had two catches for 81 yards this afternoon for Minnesota. Hopefully the first news that comes across the wires tomorrow will involve Berrian getting cut. I'm sure that's wishful thinking on my part.

Yeah, after the first quarter, it wasn't especially pretty. . .Donovan McNabb didn't complete 50% of his passes, going 10-of-21 for 169 yards and no scores. The passing game is still a serious bone of contention for this team, to be certain, and it might be time to start seriously considering a look at either Christian Ponder or Joe Webb at the position.

But for right now? To heck with all that. . .after getting our hearts ripped out in numerous different ways over the first four weeks of the season, we got to see our favorite team win.

Over the next couple of days, we'll certainly have more on this game, but for now. . .I'm good with that.