Larry Fitzgerald found his friend Adam Thielen for a post

MINNEAPOLIS —game hug at midfield following yet another loss for the Arizona Cardinals in Minnesota.The embrace shared by these summer training and golfing partners could have served as a symbolic torch-passing from one star wide receiver born and raised in Minnesota to the next .Fitzgerald Larry Fitzgerald Jersey 2019 , in his 15th and perhaps final NFL season, fell to 0-6 in his career in his hometown after the 27-17 victory by the Vikings. The Cardinals managed just 269 yards, went 0 for 12 on third and fourth down conversions and turned the ball over twice.“It’s frustrating,” said Fitzgerald, who was targeted by rookie Josh Rosen eight times and had five receptions for 39 yards. Fitzgerald added: “You’ve just got to keep chugging along. We have four days to rest, and then we’re back at it again.”The Cardinals (1-5), who host the Denver Broncos on Thursday night, have been outscored 42-0 in the third quarter this season.“You hope you can change quickly, but all you can do is just keep working at it,” said Fitzgerald, who is 175 receiving yards away from passing Terrell Owens for second place on the NFL’s all-time list behind Jerry Rice. “It’s not like we’re not putting in the effort and time and film studying and things of that nature.”The game was tied until a field goal by Dan Bailey put the Vikings in front with 7 seconds left before halftime. Then the Vikings scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the second half to move ahead 27-10.With the Cardinals facing third-and-6 at the Minnesota 49, Rosen threw to Fitzgerald — and Vikings safety Anthony Harris jumped right in front of him for the interception. Then on Arizona’s next drive, a fourth-and-2 pass by Rosen from the Minnesota 32 for Fitzgerald fell incomplete with Mackensie Alexander in coverage.“It happened fast. I lost it in the lights,” Fitzgerald said. “I can’t tell you what happened right now. Obviously, I would’ve loved to make the play.”As a player who grew up learning the game on park grass in Minneapolis and served as a ball boy for the Vikings when Cris Carter and Randy Moss were the star wide receivers, Fitzgerald still has “a little purple running through my veins,” as he put it this week on a conference call with Minnesota reporters.Thielen, meanwhile, has long looked to Fitzgerald as a player to emulate for not only his tie to the same state but his work ethic, community service, football instinct and exceptional skills. With 123 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions Black Patrick Peterson Jersey , Thielen became the first player in the NFL since 1961 to post a 100-yard performance in six straight games to start a season. With 58 catches, Thielen also has the most in league history over the first six games of a season.“I’m really happy for him,” Fitzgerald said. “Every single week he continues to raise his level of play. He makes tough plays and consistent plays and does a great job in the run game. He’s been a sparkplug for his team all season.”ROSEN’S THORNSComing off his first career NFL win against the San Francisco 49ers, Rosen faced a much stiffer test on the road against a Vikings defense that was in sync at all three levels after several displays of uncharacteristic vulnerability over the last few games. Rosen threw one interception while completing 21 of 31 passes for 240 yards, and the Cardinals were 0 for 10 on third down conversions. They were also stopped twice on fourth down tries.“The opportunities are there,” said Rosen, who took over for Bradford last month. “We find ways to miss them.”The Cardinals had 269 total yards, which happens to be their season high.“Am I concerned? Majorly,” coach Steve Wilks said.KEEPING UP WITH JONESIn three career games against the Vikings, Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones now has 18 tackles, five tackles for loss, 4 sacks, four quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, one pass breakup and a touchdown return of a blocked field goal.Jones chopped the ball out during a second quarter sack of Cousins, and Budda Baker scooped it up for a 38-yard touchdown return . The Cardinals also sacked Cousins four times, hit him seven times and deflected seven passes, but those became background highlights on an afternoon when the Vikings revived a dormant rushing attack with 195 yards on 32 attempts.“Me being one of the captains and one of the leaders of this team, it’s my job to stay on top of the guys and get this thing turned around,” Jones said.DOUBLE DIPCousins and the Vikings recovered from that sack-fumble-touchdown trifecta in time for a 48-yard field goal by Dan Bailey on the last play from scrimmage of the first half that gave them a 13-10 lead. Then they took the second-half kickoff and went on the 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive that included four catches for 47 yards by Thielen. The Vikings have actually been focusing on the importance of scoring on the last possession of the first half and the first one of the second half since Zimmer brought it up in a team meeting during organized practices in May.“He calls it a ‘double dip Patrick Peterson Jersey 2019 ,'” Cousins said. ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)New faces: Coach Steve Wilks, QB Sam Bradford, QB Josh Rosen, RG Justin Pugh, RT Andre Smith, S Tre Boston, CB Jamar Taylor, WR Brice Butler, WR Christian Kirk, RB Chase Edmonds, C Mason Cole, CB Bene Benwikere.Key losses: Coach Bruce Arians, QB Carson Palmer, S Tyrann Mathieu, QB Drew Stanton, C A.Q. Shipley (injured), QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Jaron Brown, WR John Brown, OL Earl Watford, DT Frostee Rucker Black Jordan Hicks Jersey , DT Josh Mauro, TE Troy Niklas, ILB Karlos Dansby, OG Alex Boone, CB Justin Bethel.Strengths: With return of RB David Johnson and addition of Bradford, Wilks and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Cardinals are building offense emphasizing running and short passing game. Johnson, NFL leader in yards from scrimmage and TDs two seasons ago, missed 15 games last season with fractured left wrist but returns healthy and hungry for new contract. Waiting on sideline is 10th overall pick Rosen should Bradford repeat his history of injury. Cardinals also are impressed with Edmonds, fourth-round pick out of Fordham, who could provide 1-2 punch behind revamped offensive line. Defense, with switch to 4-3 scheme, looks solid, particularly in secondary, where second-year player Budda Baker plays big role in "nickel" setup. With more zone play, Patrick Peterson might get more shots at making plays. He's been mostly avoided by quarterbacks who take aim at receivers guarded by someone other than star cornerback. DE Chandler Jones led NFL in sacks last season (17). For what it's worth, Arizona's first three preseason opponents committed 16 turnovers.Weaknesses: Arizona has great wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who enters 15th season after finishing second in NFL in catches (109) one year ago. But position is question mark behind him. Kirk, second-round pick from Texas A&M, has emerged as big-play threat in preseason and Chad Williams has shown improvement after rocky rookie year. Butler is looking to prove himself after parting less than amicably with Cowboys. But there is no consistent, proven receiver beyond Fitzgerald. Other main concern is lack of depth at linebacker and on offensive line.Fantasy players to watch: Johnson Jordan Hicks Jersey 2019 , of course. He was just about everybody's No. 1 fantasy pick in 2017, only to go down in opener. He returns in best shape of life and motivated to remind people how good he is. As reminder, Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and caught 80 passes for 875 yards in 2016. He topped 100 yards from scrimmage in first 15 games that season, only player in NFL history to so. He also led NFL with 20 TDs.Vegas Says: Super Bowl 120 to 1. Over/under wins 6.Expectations: Judging from Vegas and national predictors, expectations aren't very high. But Wilks, former Carolina defensive coordinator, has worked to install tough, physical mentality and is building around team's top players: Johnson, Peterson, Bradford, Fitzgerald, Jones. Still, it's uphill climb in NFC West. Don't expect Rosen to play unless Bradford goes down with another injury, or team slumps. Schedule is brutal, with non-division games at Minnesota, Kansas City, Green Bay and Atlanta. Cardinals might exceed Las Vegas' expectations, but most likely not by much.