Vikings Sweep by Cardinals : NFC: Walker runs for three touchdowns as Minnesota beats Phoenix for the second time in three weeks, 28-0.

The last thing the Minnesota Vikings expected was rain in the desert, but then they used it to their advantage.

The Vikings went to a short passing game and a power running game that produced three touchdown runs by Herschel Walker to score a 28-0 victory Sunday over the Phoenix Cardinals.

“We weren’t going to throw too many long passes downfield,” Viking quarterback Rich Gannon said. “We just wanted to keep it simple, and it worked.”

After the field was brushed to remove water accumulated from 1.12 inches of rain that fell throughout the morning, the Vikings (4-5) started slowly and then gained momentum steadily.

Gannon, who completed 17 of 26 passes for 142 yards and did not have a completion for more than 15 yards, said the slick ball and wet field dictated a pace that saw Minnesota held scoreless until his five-yard pass to Hassan Jones 2:50 before halftime.

Phoenix (4-5), which has scored only two touchdowns in its last four games, had only 32 yards rushing.

The Vikings piled up 212, including 79 by Walker, and had 354 yards in total offense.

Walker brushed past reporters without comment after the game, but Coach Jerry Burns said he was pleased with Walker’s effort of 79 yards in 17 carries.

“He’s been banged up, and overall I’m pleased with the way everyone played,” Burns said.

Walker doubled his season touchdown total by scoring on runs of 16, one and five yards in the second half.

The Vikings also beat the Cardinals, 34-7, two weeks ago in Minneapolis.

“Apparently that’s a bad, bad matchup, the Cardinals and the Vikings,” Phoenix Coach Joe Bugel said.

Gannon set up Walker’s first touchdown with a 14-yard scramble. On the next play, the Minnesota tailback skirted right end, kicking loose from a diving tackle by safety Tim McDonald at the five to score standing up.

With 7:58 left in the game, Walker scored the hard way, vaulting over the line and landing on his shoulder pads.

He added the final touchdown on a plunge off right guard after carrying for nine yards on the previous play.

The 16-yard, three-play drive was set up by Joey Browner’s interception and 45-yard return.

It was the second interception thrown by the Cardinals’ Tom Tupa and took him out of the game.

Stan Gelbaugh, a free agent from the World League of American Football who was signed Sept. 18, played the final series for the Cardinals and fared a little better.

Gelbaugh misfired on his first pass, then was sacked by Al Noga on the second snap before completing three of his next four throws.

The Minnesota defense, which allowed Phoenix only 254 yards (50 rushing) in the first meeting, was even stingier this time, giving up only 60 by halftime and 158 for the game.

It was the second shutout loss for the Cardinals this season.

The Washington Redskins beat them, 34-0, on Sept. 15.