Xavier Rhodes Burns Cardinals for 100-Yard Pick-Six (Video)

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes was limited in practice in Week 11, but looked healthy taking a Carson Palmer throw for a 100-yard pick-six.

Xavier Rhodes at cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings has been a big reason why their defense has been so dominant—even amidst the team’s struggles. However, Rhodes was limited in practice and at one point was questionable to play in Week 11. The defensive back suited up, though, and a second-quarter play surely has Mike Zimmer thankful that he did. Carson Palmer, not so much.

In a three-point game with the Cardinals looking to re-take the lead having driven down to the red zone, Palmer looked to the front left corner of the end zone. However, the struggling Arizona quarterback’s throw was well off the mark. He threw a duck too far outside and not even within reach of his intended target.

Rhodes, however, was indeed there to bring in the errant throw and got a head of steam quickly after picking off Palmer on the goal line. With nothing but green grass and a slowly charging Palmer ahead, the cornerback took off down the right sideline. 100 yards later, Rhodes was dancing in the end zone having pulled off a monstrous pick-six:

Obviously any 100-yard interception return is going to be huge and Rhodes’ breakaway speed was fantastic on the play.

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However, this pick-six was even more important for the Vikings considering the situation that it came in. Rather than having the Cardinals either take back the lead or tie, they turned it into a 10-point lead in the first half. That’s all in a day’s work for the fantastic Xavier Rhodes.