A.J. Green scores 1st TD as member of Cardinals against Vikings

Sep 19, 2021, 3:20 PM | Updated: 4:57 pm

Wide receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Arizona Cardinals lines up against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the NFL preseason game at State Farm Stadium on August 20, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY ARIZONA SPORTS

If Arizona Cardinals fans wanted to see new 33-year-old wide receiver A.J. Green score in a certain way, Sunday’s touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings had to qualify.

The wideout entering his 10th NFL season showed off that he’s still got some moves, catching a quick instant pass from quarterback Kyler Murray, giving him the chance at the end zone if he made his man miss.

He did.

A.J. Green's first TD with the #AZCardinals!

📺: #MINvsAZ on FOX
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/9GUuDDohvi

— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2021

Green’s touchdown was Murray’s fourth of the day overall and his third through the air.

It was score No. 66 for Green in his career after snagging 65 scores over his nine years with the Cincinnati Bengals. Green in his Cardinals debut had two receptions and 25 yards in Arizona’s Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans.

The touchdown grab for Green was his first catch of the afternoon and already Murray’s 19th completion, bringing the passing attack up to a total 282 yards early in the third quarter.

That made it 31-30 Cardinals, an answer by the offense after Murray’s pick-six the previous drive.

From there, a field goal from Arizona in the fourth quarter would be the only other points scored in the game. Minnesota’s Greg Joseph missed a 37-yard field goal as time expired, making it a 34-33 Cardinals win.

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Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) motions during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) celebrates his touchdown with tight end Darrell Daniels during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) pulls in a touchdown catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) avoids the tackles of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) celebrates his touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) scrambles as Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker (3)pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) signals first down after his catch against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) tries to elude the tackle of Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) avoids the tackle of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals fans cheer during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt watches from the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) celebrates a defensive stop with defensive back Kris Boyd (29) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) celebrates his interception for a touchdown with free safety Harrison Smith (22) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Nick Vigil (59) run back an interception for a touchdown as Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rondale Moore (4) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) takes off his helmet after throwing an interception against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) is hit by Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green pulls in a catch as Minnesota Vikings defensive back Bashaud Breeland (21) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) scores against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Vikings free safety Xavier Woods (23) runs after an interception against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) hits Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones (55) celebrates his hit on Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) recovers his own fumble as Arizona Cardinals linebacker Markus Golden and defensive end J.J. Watt (99) make the hit during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) eludes the tackles of Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith (22) upends Arizona Cardinals tight end Maxx Williams (87) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) cheers during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler (27) breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) throws against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) pulls in a catch as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) makes a catch has Arizona Cardinals cornerback Robert Alford (23) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) scrambles as Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) kicks a go-ahead field goal as punter Andy Lee (14) holds during the second half of an NFL football game agaisnt the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) celebrates his go-ahead field goal with punter Andy Lee (14) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jonathan Ward #29 of the Arizona Cardinals does a back flip as teammates celebrate on the field after the Minnesota Vikings missed on their game-winning field goal attempt in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on September 19, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) attempts a game-winning field goal as punter Jordan Berry (3) holds during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. Joseph missed and the Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings punter Jordan Berry (3) consoles kicker Greg Joseph (1) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals kicker Matt Prater (5) talks with Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Arizona Cardinals strong safety Budda Baker celebrates after Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts to missing a game-winning field goal attempt during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts to missing a game-winning field goal attempt against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Arizona Cardinals tight end Darrell Daniels (81) and Arizona Cardinals safety James Wiggins celebrate after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 34-33. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph (1) reacts after missing a field goal at the end of the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Sept. 19, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (Elizabeth Flores/Star Tribune via AP)

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