Vikings win 5th straight, rallying past Cardinals 23-22 on Sam Darnold's TD pass with 1:13 left

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings were searching for an offensive rhythm well past halftime. Aaron Jones had another early turnover.

This confident, connected and resilient team didn't flinch.

Sam Darnold's second touchdown pass of the second half went to Jones for Minnesota's first lead with 1:13 remaining, and the Vikings rallied from 13 points down to beat the Arizona Cardinals 23-22 on Sunday for their fifth straight victory.

“Sam has been absolutely huge for us in these moments where everybody needs him,” coach Kevin O'Connell said.

Darnold passed for 104 of his 235 yards in the fourth quarter against the blitz-heavy Cardinals, whose five sacks helped deny the Vikings (10-2) the end zone until Darnold hit Johnny Mundt with 1:17 left in the third quarter. That was the second offensive touchdown against Arizona in a span of 15 quarters.

Last week at Chicago, Darnold went 6 for 6 for 90 yards in overtime to set up the winning field goal.

“Dude, I’m just going to continue to do my job every single day, and I’m just going to keep it that simple,” said Darnold, whose previous career high in six NFL seasons was seven wins as a starter.

Kyler Murray threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter to spoil a strong start by the Cardinals (6-6), who fell one game behind NFC West-leading Seattle.

Jonathan Greenard poked the ball out of Murray's hand on second down for Minnesota's first sack with 48 seconds to go, and Greenard chased down Murray on the next play for a 3-yard gain to force Arizona to burn another timeout.

The Vikings then swarmed Murray in the pocket on fourth down, forcing a desperation heave that Shaquill Griffin picked off. Earlier, Murray's risky fling on third down under pressure was intercepted by Byron Murphy at the Minnesota 32, setting up the Vikings for a third field goal by Parker Romo.

“We went backwards on the last drive,” Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon said. “That was brutal.”

Justin Jefferson had seven receptions for 99 yards for the Vikings, including an underneath catch on fourth-and-6 from the Arizona 34 that kept the winning drive alive.

The Vikings stayed one game behind Detroit in the NFC North by scoring on their final three full possessions, totaling 187 yards on 23 plays over those three drives.

“That’s a good team over there,” Murray said. “We had a chance to put them away, and we didn’t.”

The Cardinals led only 9-6 at halftime despite 228 yards of offense, repeatedly favoring safe underneath throws and inside runs once they reached scoring range.

“They couldn’t do the conservative stuff forever,” Greenard said. “We knew at the end of the game they had to go and try to score.”

Murray was flagged for intentional grounding under heavy pressure on a first-and-goal pass from the 10, and the Cardinals settled for a fifth field goal by Chad Ryland for a six-point lead with 3:20 to go.

The 16-play drive leaned heavily on Trey McBride and took 7:48 off the clock. McBride, who is second in the league in receiving yards by tight ends, had 12 catches for 96 yards.

Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the five-time Pro Bowl pick and 13-year veteran who has galvanized the defense this season, departed in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. His replacement, Fabian Moreau, was a frequent target.

In the third quarter, Moreau took two pass-interference penalties for 51 yards and was beaten by Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 15-yard touchdown pass that put the Cardinals up 19-6.

Jones fumbled on the first play of each of Minnesota's first two drives. Brian O'Neill fell on the first one, but Arizona's Roy Lopez recovered the second one after Sean Murphy-Bunting punched the ball out at the Minnesota 19. Ryland missed a 45-yard try after two penalties pushed Arizona back.

Jones lost a fumble at the Chicago 1-yard line to end the opening drive last week, and he dropped the toss on a sweep at Tennessee the week before that was charged as a lost fumble to Darnold.

“I have total trust in Aaron,” O'Connell said. “You guys can see it all over his face, the disappointment he has, but we’ve got to find a way to fix it.”

Cardinals: DL Darius Robinson, the first-round draft pick sidelined all season by a calf injury, made his NFL debut.

Vikings: TE Josh Oliver (ankle) missed his second straight game.

The Cardinals host Seattle next Sunday, when the Vikings host Atlanta.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Shaquill Griffin (1) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) runs from Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Dante Stills (55) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson (14) catches a pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs from Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates in front of Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) after catching a 15-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) catches a 15-yard touchdown pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) catches a 5-yard touchdown pass in front of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kyzir White (7) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence walked out of EverBank Stadium with his wife by his side and a smile on his face, a positive sign for the oft-injured Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback.

Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent blow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a hit that prompted a sideline-clearing brawl and a secondary scuffle.

“It’s a play that really has no business being in our league,” Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said following his team's 23-20 loss Sunday.

Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.

Lawrence clinched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair, whose latest perceived cheap shot could result in a suspension.

“That was a dumb hit on his part,” Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen said. “Hate to see it. The first thing I thought of was to go get him because it’s your brother, and that’s the quarterback.”

Added tight end Evan Engram: “I saw him sliding and then I saw the hit, and then, honestly, (my emotions) just took over. I just knew it was wrong. It was just a dirty play, and you stick up for your guys."

Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital for tests. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though.

“It’s unfortunate with the hit with Azeez," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "That’s not what we’re coaching. Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Just have to be smarter when a quarterback is going down.

“Just unfortunate play, not representative of who Azeez is. Like, he’s a smart player, really great leader for us.”

Al-Shaair was ejected for “an illegal hit on the quarterback, unnecessary, to the neck and head area,” referee Land Clark said in a pool report. Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones also was ejected for throwing a punch in the melee.

As Al-Shaair was leaving the field, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.

Officials and coaches got the teams under control before play resumed. Al-Shaair was not in the locker room when it opened to reporters after the game.

“I just want to say prayers to Trevor," Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said. "I really hope and pray he’s OK. Prayers to his family as well. But, yeah, still rocking with Azeez. I don’t think that was his intent, and I pray that Trevor is OK and his family is right there with him.”

Mac Jones replaced Lawrence and rallied the Jaguars in the fourth quarter. Jones completed 20 of 32 passes for 235 yards, with two touchdowns. Pederson declined to speculate on Lawrence's status moving forward, especially with the Jags now formally eliminated in the AFC South.

Lawrence, the top pick in the 2021 draft, missed a game for the first time in his professional career in 2023 because of a sprained right shoulder sustained in Week 16. He also missed significant practice time because of other injuries: a sprained left knee in Week 6, a sprained right ankle in Week 13 and a concussion in Week 15.

“Trevor is a warrior," Jones said. "We’re all praying for him. We definitely have his back. For him to play today was incredible. He’s a tough dude. Really wanted to get the win for him. Obviously fell short. But definitely praying for him. I know we all have his back for sure.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, second from right, looks on a trainers attend to quarterback Trevor Lawrence after a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Players fight after Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) hit Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence with a late hit during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaves the field on a cart after getting injured on a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17, right) jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is looked at by trainers after a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass while he is pressured by Houston Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter (55) and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)