GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two old quarterbacks with golden resumes and ageless arms took the field Sunday night.
Kurt Warner was marvelous. Brett Favre was miserable.
Warner, 38, back after missing a game with a concussion, threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns, and the Cardinals’ defense stifled Favre and the Vikings in a one-sided 30-17 victory.
“They played like they were in the Super Bowl last year,” Favre said, “and we obviously have to play better if we want to be the team that’s in the Super Bowl this year.”
Favre set an NFL record for consecutive appearances, but game No. 283 in a row was no night to remember for him or the rest of the Vikings (10-2). The 40-year-old, with just three interceptions in the first 11 games, was picked off twice and sacked three times.
“I made some decisions that I haven’t made up to this point,” Favre said, “and I’m disappointed about it.”
Even more startling, Arizona (8-4) held Adrian Peterson to a season-low 19 yards in 13 carries and outrushed Minnesota 113-62.
The victory, coupled with San Francisco’s loss at Seattle, gives Arizona a three-game lead in the NFC West. The Cardinals can clinch the division title with a victory at San Francisco a week from tonight.
Favre had two touchdown passes, but the second, a 31-yarder to Percy Harvin, came with 1:20 to go and the game out of reach. Favre was 30-of-45 for 275 yards.
Warner, rarely under pressure, was 22-of-32 with no interceptions and no sacks. Larry Fitzgerald caught eight passes for 143 yards and a score. Anquan Boldin had seven catches for 98 yards and two scores.
Warner said the victory showed “that we can play with anybody, we can play with the big dogs. The key for us is to show up that way every week.”
A year ago, Peterson had 165 yards on the same field as Minnesota routed Arizona 35-14.
The Vikings had been overwhelming opponents with a more balanced offense and a tough defense, outscoring its last three opponents 98-29.
