Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings: Good, bad, and ugly

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) carries the ball past Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals had some bright spots on Sunday but had enough mistakes to keep themselves from victory

The Arizona Cardinals were able to move the ball on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. That’s the good news. The bad news? You can’t win if you are going to shoot yourself in the foot while doing it.

For the Cardinals, they did just that on Sunday in their 30-24 loss to the Vikings. They played well at times on both sides of the ball. Special teams wasn’t very special on Sunday. A couple of mistakes cost the Cardinals the chance at victory.

Although many were very questionable calls, penalties also did not show well for the Cardinals on Sunday. Good teams need to learn how to overcome bad calls. The Cardinals could not do that either.

In the end, once again the bad outweighed the good. It will always be that way if the end result is a loss. This loss sends the Cardinals to 4-5-1 and could possibly put the Cardinals in third place in the NFC West by the end of the day.

Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson (31) catches a touchdown pass against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

The good

David Johnson had a nice day on Sunday. He rushed for 103-yards on 22 carries and had one rushing touchdown. He also caught seven passes for 57-yards and a touchdown.

Johnson looked like the runner we saw during the first month and a half of the season. Over the last couple of weeks Johnson had looked slow and easy to bring down.

The Cardinals went away from Johnson for the most part however in the second half, at least from a rushing standpoint. That will happen when you quickly fall down 13 points trying to stage a comeback.

Also looking good were the contributions from the tight ends. Jermaine Gresham had a beautiful catch and run for a touchdown. Even Darren Fells had a great 22-yard catch in the first half.

Receiver Larry Fitzgerald also had a good day, again. He caught six passes for 63-yards. He was targeted seven times but not during the stretch at the end of the game which was a little puzzling.

Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians argues a call during the second quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The bad

Penalties got the better of the Cardinals on Sunday. They had eight for 76-yards on Sunday. A couple of consecutive calls that went against the defense in the fourth quarter though cost the Cardinals dearly.

The Cardinals seemed to lose their composure over the calls. Even if you disagree with the calls, the Cardinals need to remain their composure and focus on those situations, especially going down the stretch and trying to comeback.

Receiver J.J. Nelson had another tough afternoon. He couldn’t come down with big receptions again. He was targeted five times buy only had one reception for no gain.

Nelson, who fumbled the ball and had a ball go through his hands for an interception against the 49ers last week, never got himself on track Sunday. The Cardinals need to be able to rely on guys not named Fitzgerald.

Deone Bucannon needs to give full effort full time. During the fourth quarter, it appeared that Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford had fumbled the ball. The play was not ruled dead. Bucannon picked the ball up and ran back what could have been a touchdown.

However Bucannon slowed up as he was running and he was caught before he could make the end zone. Even though the play was upheld as an incomplete pass, why does he slow down? There is no excuse for that.

Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The ugly

The fourth quarter and quarterback Carson Palmer. He had two opportunities to get the Cardinals the winning touchdown over the Vikings on Sunday.

Sometimes you must wonder what is going through his mind? For the most part, time has been spent defending Palmer this season. After the way the game ended on Sunday, that might stop.

Palmer, was sacked four times on Sunday, twice trying to lead the Cardinals on final drive. On the last offensive play for the Cardinals, he didn’t even attempt to throw the ball. He took the sack and the game was over.

Just get rid of it. Try someone. Game is over anyway if you eat the ball. Indecision cost Palmer dearly on Sunday.

Play calling. The Cardinals, down just six points and still about five minutes remaining, decided to abandon the running game. That is something the Cardinals did last week as well.

Special teams. You can go ahead and take the word special out of that unit. First they allow a 100-yard kickoff return to the Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson to start the second half.

Then John Brown, instead of taking a fair catch, allowed the Vikings punt prior to the final Cardinals offensive drive, to hit the ground and roll an additional 20-yards, a 72-yard punt in all. Whatever the thought process was there, it was maybe the ugliest decision all day.