Warner throws 3 TDs as Cardinals jump out to 21-10 halftime lead over Brett Favre-led Vikings

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Warner throws 3 TDs, Cards lead Vikings 21-10

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Kurt Warner connected with Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald for three first-half touchdown passes Sunday to give the Arizona Cardinals a 21-10 lead over the Brett Favre-led Vikings in a prime-time duel of the two veteran quarterbacks and former Super Bowl winners.

Warner had a superb first half, completing 15 of 20 passes for 200 yards to go with the three touchdowns. Boldin caught seven passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, while Fitzgerald had four catches for 71 yards and a touchdown, including a score with 1:14 left in the half to give the Cardinals a 21-10 lead.

The Cardinals (7-4) managed to contain the Vikings’ dynamic running back Adrian Peterson, holding him to 20 yards on eight carries in the half. Arizona also kept Minnesota’s vaunted pass rush away from Warner, who was not sacked.

With his start, Favre set the NFL record for most consecutive games played at 283, surpassing former Minnesota defensive great Jim Marshall. The 40-year-old Favre has not missed a start since the 1992 season, and is hoping to get back to the Super Bowl with the Vikings (10-1).

The 38-year-old Warner wants to do the same with the Cardinals, who are coming off their improbable Super Bowl run a year ago. Favre and Warner have a combined five Super Bowl appearances and two championships over the last 13 seasons. Favre has won three league MVPs, Warner two.

Boldin gave a big lift to the Cardinals after the Vikings jumped to a 7-0 lead on a Favre touchdown pass to tight end Visanthe Schiancoe on their first possession. Favre cooled off after that, finishing the half 13 of 20 for 92 yards.

Boldin made a nifty grab along the left sideline with Cedric Griffin covering before dashing for a touchdown to give the Cardinals a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. The Vikings countered with a long drive capped by Ryan Longwell’s field goal to make it 14-10. Warner then hit Fitzgerald for a 34-yard touchdown after the star wideout got behind the Vikings secondary and easily scored with 1:14 remaining.

The Vikings took advantage of Tim Hightower’s fumble on Arizona’s second play, recovering the ball near midfield and driving for a quick score. Favre hit Shiancoe for a 3-yard touchdown with 9:47 left in the first quarter, which came after Vikings coach Brad Childress successfully challenged the original ruling of an incomplete pass.

Warner was back in the starting lineup after missing last week’s game because of lingering symptoms from the concussion he sustained Nov. 22 at St. Louis. He had started 41 consecutive games before missing the Titans game.

The game is a rematch of a December contest from last year in which the Vikings dominated Arizona 35-14 in what was part of a late-season swoon for the Cardinals, before they got hot in the playoffs and came within a couple of plays of winning the Super Bowl.

Despite being in prime position to lock up the NFC North and a first-round bye, Minnesota still has a lot to play for as the Vikings trail the undefeated Saints by only one game in the battle for home-field advantage.