Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) The Arizona Cardinals' suspect pass protection was partially responsible for the loss of their starting quarterback last week. The injury to Kevin Kolb gives John Skelton another shot at QB. Skelton takes over for the struggling Cardinals on Sunday when they visit the Minnesota Vikings, who are looking to open 4-0 at home. Kolb, who assumed Arizona's starting quarterback position in Week 1 when Skelton suffered a sprained ankle, injured his ribs while being sacked in last Sunday's 19-16 overtime loss to Buffalo. The Cardinals, losers of two in a row following a surprising 4-0 start, said Kolb will be out for "an unspecified period of time." It might have been only a matter of time until Kolb suffered an injury, considering the beating he had been taking. The Cardinals have allowed a league-worst 28 sacks, with 22 of them coming in the last three games. Skelton is now faced with the difficult challenge of trying to stay upright against a Minnesota team that enters Week 7 ranked 11th in the NFL with 15 sacks. Vikings pass-rushing specialist Jared Allen has a sack in each of the last four games, and an NFL-best 26 since the start of last season. Skelton did little to impress after replacing Kolb last week, completing 2 of 10 passes for 45 yards with an interception. The pick led to Rian Lindell's game-winning field goal. "(He) can't make that throw," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. Skelton has proven he can win, though, going 6-2 as a starter last season. "We are comfortable with whatever quarterback lines up Sunday, he'll get the job done," running back LaRod Stephens-Howling told the team's official website. Christian Ponder had given the Vikings (4-2) confidence in their quarterback for the first month of the season, but he has regressed a bit. After throwing for 824 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions in his first four games, Ponder has four TDs and four picks in the last two. His mistakes cost the Vikings in last Sunday's 38-26 loss at Washington, as one of his interceptions was returned for a touchdown and his fumble deep in Minnesota's own territory set up another Redskins touchdown. Despite his subpar showing, coach Leslie Frazier stressed that Ponder is only in his second season, and his first as a full-time starter. "There's going to be some growing pains along the way," Frazier said. "We know that. This is a part of the process with him, part of the evolution of being an NFL starter. And we grow as a team, he'll grow. But things like what happened (Sunday) could happen as he continues to gain more experience." It helps that Ponder has a healthy Adrian Peterson in the backfield. Peterson enters the week ranked third in the NFC in rushing with 499 yards, and is averaging 96.8 yards in four career starts against Arizona. He amassed 122 yards and three touchdowns in last season's 34-10 victory over the Cardinals, the Vikings' sixth straight home win in the series. Last year's victory over Arizona marked Minnesota's lone home win, but they've won all three of their games in Minneapolis this season. Peterson will be facing an Arizona defense that has yielded 276 rushing yards in its last two games. Despite being susceptible against the run, the Cardinals have still been tough to score on, allowing an average of 16.2 points - fourth-best in the NFL entering Week 7. "We know we're going to be in the game at the end of it. We've got a great defense," Arizona offensive guard Daryn Colledge said. "They've given us an opportunity every single week to be in a game." Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press. Edited October 25, 2012 by Vin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted October 19, 2012 (edited) This shouldn't be a game, but you never know. Skelton's better than Kolb at running the huddle-up style offense that Arizona is so adamant about running. 27 10 Edited October 19, 2012 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigBen07 285 Posted October 19, 2012 Arizona has proven to me that they're a pretender after losing at home to a Bills team that allowed nearly 1200 yards in the previous two games. Also, that offense is horrible. I expect the Vikings to put it away early here. 31 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 20, 2012 20-17 Cardinals Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 20, 2012 Who thought this would be a good game the beginning of the season? Both teams have surprised so far and have been playing some good football, especially both of these defenses. I like the Vikings in a close, low scoring game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 20, 2012 In addition to quarterback Kevin Kolb, who will miss the next few weeks after having multiple ribs detach during a Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Arizona Cardinals may be without 50 percent of their starting secondary when they visit the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. Kerry Rhodes (back) has already been ruled "out" with a back injury and cornerback Greg Toler is "doubtful" and could miss a second consecutive game with a hamstring. The Vikings are in fairly good shape, with Mistral Raymond (ankle) ruled out and seven players, including Jared Allen (groin), Adrian Peterson (ankle), Christian Ponder (knee), Jerome Simpson (back) and Antoine Winfield (knee) listed as "probable". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 13 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted October 21, 2012 I'll take the Vikes at home in that booming stadium against an anemic Cardinals offense against a Vikes def that is playing well. Cards defense is good too but I believe the Vikes make a few more plays on offense then the Cards do in this one. 20 14 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 21, 2012 Todd Heap (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings. Pass-catching tight end Rob Housler draws another start, but he's not on the fantasy radar with seven catches for 105 yards and no touchdowns over the last three weeks. The rest of the Cardinals' inactives: QB Kevin Kolb, S Kerry Rhodes, CB Greg Toler, RB Anthony Sherman, LB Reggie Walker and G Senio Kelemete. Adrian Peterson (ankle) is active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, as expected. Peterson took it easy in practice this week as the Vikings have two games in the next five days. He's all systems go as our No. 2 play at the running back position this week. The Vikings are seven-point favorites at home and are a decent bet to be nursing a lead for much of this game. Jerome Simpson (back) is also active and starting. The Vikings' inactives: S Mistral Raymond, QB MacLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Jarius Wright, CB Brandon Burton, LB Audie Cole, OL Mark Asper and DE D'Aundre Reed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 kickoff return to start the game by Harvin. Good to know we aren't the only ones who gave one up to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 Harvin may be one of the best overall weapons in the game. He can do everything. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 21, 2012 AP just owned some Red Birds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franchise 5 1 Posted October 21, 2012 ^ That. AP lookin' nice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 AP is a beast. Amazing that he looks like this after tearing his ACL last year. Dude's a monster. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 I'm confused... Didn't Harvin score a kickoff? Why does NFL.com have the score at 7-0 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 21, 2012 I'm confused... Didn't Harvin score a kickoff? Why does NFL.com have the score at 7-0 It was called back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted October 21, 2012 It was called back. Damn... If any of these feeds would work. lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AllYouNeedIsLovie 377 Posted October 21, 2012 Cards just picked off Ponder and have the ball inside the Vikes 10. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 21, 2012 hold them, Minny! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Franchise 5 1 Posted October 21, 2012 Christian Ponder to Percy Harvin for a 3 yard TD. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted October 21, 2012 Percy Harvin is the man Can't stop him.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
