What started out well for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night, did not end very well as the Vikings suffered their second loss of the season, losing 30-17 to the Cardinals.

Minnesota struck first when Brett Favre found Visanthe Shiancoe for his ninth TD reception of the year early in the first quarter, giving Minnesota an early 7-0 lead. But it was all Cardinals and Kurt Warner after that. Warner threw for 285 yards and three touchdowns including one to Minnesota high school product Larry Fitzgerald Jr as the Cardinals raised their record to 8-4.

Brett Favre, who has posted MVP-type numbers all season long, was 30-45 for 275 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.

The loss drops the Vikings record to 10-2, and coupled with another New Orleans win, puts the Vikings two games behind the Saints in the race for the NFC’s best record.

The loss was especially difficult for the Vikings who saw linebacker EJ Henderson suffer a season ending leg injury for the second straight season. Henderson was hurt late in the 4th quarter while making a tackle and suffered a broken leg.

The Vikings host the Bengals next Sunday.

Photos by Rich Gabrielson                              Click here for photo gallery