Minnesota Vikings Week 5: Top 12 Plays from Vikings Win

Finally, what should have occurred weeks ago has happened. After blowing three double-digit halftime leads in four games, the Minnesota Vikings finally won their first game of the season. 

An explosive first quarter that saw Adrian Peterson score three touchdowns led the way for the Vikings 34-10 win.

For Vikings fans, it's time to sit back and enjoy this one. With three of their next four games against the division opponents, included both games against Green Bay, they may find themselves sitting no better than 2-7. 

The Vikings played true to their 2011 form, building a 25-point lead by halftime. Limited to only two Ryan Longwell field goals in the second half, they were once again outscored by their opponent in the final two quarters. This time, however, two Jamarca Sanford interceptions in the fourth quarter preserved the victory.

The biggest concern in this game has to be the play of quarterback Donovan McNabb. Fortunately for McNabb and the offense, most of the first quarter was played deep in Arizona territory as McNabb struggled early and often. He finished 10 for 21 for only 169 yards—an unacceptable 75.3 passer rating, with many of his passes off short, or behind his receivers. 

While this victory doesn't erase all the concerns for the Vikings, it still allows them to attempt to match the performance of the 1992 San Diego Chargers, who made the playoffs after opening the season 0-4. 

Here's a look at the top 12 plays from the Vikings win over the Cardinals.

No. 12: Chris Kluwe Pins the Cardinals Deep on Their 3-Yard Line

Sure, it's not often that a punter gets mentioned on a list of top plays, but if not for the great job Chris Kluwe did pinning the Cardinals deep in their own territory, the Vikings may not have had the fast start to open the game.

The Vikings would open the game matching the Cardinals' first drive, running three plays and punting at the 13:13 mark of the first quarter.

Fortunately for Minnesota, Kluwe, standing around his 30-yard line, boomed a 51-yard punt that was downed on the three yard line by Jamarca Sanford.

The Cardinals would end up going backwards before setting up the punt return by Marcus Sherels to the 18-yard line.  

No. 11: Marcus Sherels' 22 Yards Punt Return

Undrafted free agent Marcus Sherels from the University of Minnesota had two huge 22-yard punt returns in the first quarter.

With Arizona punter Ben Graham standing in his own end zone with 11:05 left in the first quarter, Sherels caught the ball at the 40-yard line and returned it to the Cardinal's 18-yard line.

Four plays later, Adrian Peterson would score the first of his three touchdowns.

No. 10: Ryan Longwell Connects on a 53-Yard Field Goal

I suppose if you're going to give the punter a big play, then you should be able to find one for the kicker.

Coming into the Arizona game, Ryan Longwell was 7-for-7 on field goal attempts.

After missing a 43-yard field goal with 12:24 left in the game, Longwell would get another chance with just a little over two minutes left in the game.

Following Jamarca Sanford's first interception, the Vikings offense would stall at the Arizona 30-yard line. Following a delay of game penalty, head coach Leslie Frazier still went with his kicker, allowing him to try a 53 yarder.

Longwell had plenty of leg to put the Vikings up 34-10, hitting the longest field goal in almost two years for the Vikings kicker.

No. 9: McNabb Final Connects on a Big Pass Play with Devin Aromashodu

Before the Cardinals game, the longest completion that Donovan MaNabb had with a wide receiver was the 34-yard touchdown to Devin Aromashodu against the Chiefs in Week 4. This would be the third longest reception on the team, surpassed by a 42-yard catch by Toby Gerhart and a 41-yarder by Kyle Rudolph.

That changed with 6:14 left in the third quarter, when, on a 1st-and-20 from the 24-yard line, McNabb connected with Aromashodu over the middle. Aromashodu would take the ball down the right side of the field. After being knocked out of bounds at the Arizona 16-yard line,  the play covered 60 yards—the longest play of the season for the Vikings offense.

No. 8: Donovan McNabb Scores His Own Touchdown

With only eight and a half minutes gone, the Vikings would find themselves up 21-0.

Five plays following the defense's second take away, Donovan McNabb and the Vikings would face 3rd-and-goal from the four yard line. 

McNabb, in the shotgun, would receive the snap and see everything clear out to his left take off and score untouched. 

No. 7: Adrian Peterson Gives Vikings an Early Lead

So much of the Vikings' problems this season have been settling for field goals after getting deep into the opponent's territory. Adrian Peterson made sure there was no settling today.

With just over over five and a half minutes gone in the game, Marcus Sherels returned his second punt of the game to the Cardinals 18 yard line.

Peterson would gain all 18 yards on three carries, the final resulting in a four-yard touchdown run, his first of the game.

No. 6: Jared Allen Sacks Another Cardinal Drive Deep in Minnesota Territory

With 2:29 left in the first half and the Vikings leading 28-3, the Cardinals were driving deep into Minnesota territory.

With three double-digit halftime leads lost this year, things were looking a little dicey, as the Cardinals were looking to cut into the lead.

Facing a 3rd-and-7 from the Vikings' 19-yard line, Kevin Kolb would drop back from the shotgun and flushed out of the pocket, Jared Allen would sack him on the 37 yard line, forcing the Cardinals to punt.

Allen came up with a big play exactly when the defense needed it, turning at least a field goal into no point for Arizona.

No. 5: Cornerback Asher Allen Intercepts Kevin Kolb

The Arizona Cardinals had exactly one play from scrimmage following the Vikings' first touchdown.

At 9:12 left in the first quarter and with the ball on the 20-yard line, Asher Allen dove in front of Cardinals wide receiver Andre Roberts intercepting Kevin Kolb. Allen got up and returned the ball to the 24 yard line. 

No. 5: Brian Robison and Jared Allen Get Another Take Away

The Vikings defense kept the pressure on the Cardinals in the first quarter.

At the 8:22 mark of the first quarter, only two plays after Peterson's second touchdown run, the defense would get their second turnover of the game.

On 2nd-and-1 from the Arizona 29 yard line, defensive end Brian Robison stripped the ball from quarterback Kevin Kolb, and Jared Allen recovered the fumble on the 25 yard line. 

No. 4: Jamarca Sanford Gets His First Career Interception

With 6:59 left in the game, and the Vikings clinging to a 31-10 lead—yes, I said clinging to a 21-point lead. After watching this team give away three leads in the second half of games, the Vikings have not had a comfortable lead all season.

Anyway, with 6:59 left in the game, safety Jamarca Sanford came up with the third turnover of the game for the defense. 

On a 2nd-and-5 from their own 38-yard line, Sanford intercepted Kevin Kolb for the second time in the game, returning the ball 17 yards into Arizona territory. 

It was a big stop that thwarted yet another Cardinal drive, something that had been lacking in the first four games of the season.

No. 3: Jamarca Sanford Does It Again

One of the biggest issues I've had with the Vikings defense has been the lack of big plays and turnovers.

Today, Jared Allen and Brian Robison each had two sacks in game, with one of those of Robison leading to a fumble that Allen recovered.

The defensive backfield, probably the weakest part of the Vikings roster, was playing without their best defender, with Antoine Winfield on the sideline. Jamarca Sanford stepped up today and collected his first two interceptions of his career.

The second came with 1:43 left in the game and the Cardinals approaching midfield. With the game locked up and Arizona back-up quarterback Richard Bartel in the game, Sanford picked off a pass intended for Early Doucet, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock and win their first game of the season.

No. 2: A.P. Gets the Trifecta Scoring His Third Touchdown of the 1st Quarter

After going three-and-out on their first offensive series, the Vikings would score touchdowns on their next four possessions.

Adrian Peterson would cap the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run with 2:48 left in the first quarter.

With the Vikings facing a 2nd-and-12, Peterson would take the hand off from Donovan McNabb and run straight up the middle, dragging a couple of defenders into the end zone for the final five yards.

At this point in the game, Peterson had rushed nine times for 53 yards and three touchdowns.

No. 1: Adrian Peterson Wastes No Time with His Second Touchdown

It took only two plays following Adrian Peterson's first touchdown to return to the end zone.

Following Asher Allen's interception of Kevin Kolb with only six minutes gone in the game, Peterson would score his second touchdown on a 24-yard run.

In a demonstration of speed and power, Peterson took the handoff from Donovan McNabb and outran safety Richard Marshall turning the corner at the 20-yard line, bouncing it to the outside and running down the right side line. When cornerback Patrick Peterson tried to stop him at the goal line, Adrian Peterson lowered his shoulder pushing him back into the end zone.

At this point, the Vikings had a 14-point lead, and McNabb had yet to complete a pass.