12 news at 10:00 tracking the big picture for you. the arizona cardinals fight for a win on the road. >> palmer guns it passed -- pass caught, touchdown johnson! >> but cannot bounce back from the vikings attack. >> xavier rhodes down the sideline.

>> and the blitz on carson palmer. >> had some good rushes and couldn't quite get the ball off. >> team 12 in the twin cities. a preview of the dual into the desert. >> jimmy johnson wins his seventh sprint cup title tying to racing giants. only on 12 news. >> verify this. >> verify this. >> should i let my baby play tackle football? >> the mother of a 9-year-old soggy sunday. >> rain dampening some spirits while others rejoice. >> travel troubles. team 12 giving you a first-hand look at the headaches before that thanksgiving day travel rush. the 12 news night team in action for you. 12 news at 10:00 starts right now. thanks for joining us. another tough day for the cards. losing on the road. to the vikings.

that played into the loss today but tonight we want to know what you think. >> who do you think is to blame for today's loss? carson palmer and the offensive line? coach bruce arians? or special-teams? cast your vote by going to 12news.com/yourvoice. stack team 12 is in minneapolis but first let's see what the man himself, bruce cooper how you doing, caribe? no doubt the blame game can be spread around on this one. one drive in the third quarter the cardinals were hit with three personal fouls. cardinal fans are even blaming the referees. but two 100-yard returns for touchdowns by the vikings were the two biggest plays of the game. but i want to focus on the 100- yard interception return because it's part of what has plagued the cardinals offense all season long. under three and have to play before halftime. trailing 13-10. third and goal from the vikings

xavier rhodes with a pick 6100 yards the other way. instead of a potential touchdown and a 17-13 lead or at least to tie the game it's now vikings 20, cardinals 10. no doubt a big game changer and momentum swinging the cardinals could never overcome. but let's examine that play a little closer. in particular the lack of communication between palmer and his receivers. palmer is expecting brown to break outside on this route. a timing ro get tied up with the back. doesn't break outside which allows the ball to sail right into the hands of xavier rhodes. palmer is explaining to arians that he expected brown to come outside. arians would argue to the official that brown could not break outside because he was being held up. third quarter. carson palmer on second and 10 has j.j. nelson on the sideline for a first down but nelson drops the ball. nelson had two drops last week.

you can see palmer is disgusted that nelson dropped the ball. still in the third, palmer deep to michael floyd. the pass is overthrown and intercepted but a closer look shows floyd actually slowed down on the play which gave rhodes the only shot at the ball. on the sideline, arians is giving floyd the business for slowing down on the route. it's been a season-long scene. palmer not on the same page with receivers not named larry fitzgerald. the cardinals 30-24 loss leaves them with a desperate record. >> first thing i will not entertain any questions about officiating. the game was not -- the game was lost on three plays. touchdown on the interception, the touchdown on the flea flicker. and the touchdown on the kickoff return. other than that, we played a heck of a bargain and still had a chance to win. the season is not over. we're still in the thick of the thing. it's going to come down to who

the stretch. >> arians also said they have to figure out a way to win on the road next week in atlanta. meantime cameron cox is on the road in minnesota with more on today's loss. >> it is the same story different game. the cardinals continued to be their own worst enemy. cardinal beating cardinal. so what's the problem? >> lack of focus. that's really about it, man. we've got to >> reporter: bruce arion says this game down to -- bruce arians says this came down to three plays. >> you've got to stay on your guy. we're playing man-to-man. basically cover zero. until they get the ball back in the quarterback's hands we should have had people getting to him faster. >> reporter: and then this interception returned for a touchdown could have never happened.

the ref didn't call it. the dude made a good play. >> looked like he was trying to run out and couldn't get out of the grasp of the defender. >> carson was expecting me to break out. >> reporter: the cardinals should have kicked it out of the end zone instead of to the best return her in football. to start the second half. >> me and justin was outside. we had outside containment. those guys pushed us out and it was down to the safeties to the kicker and tony. the rest is history. >> reporter: bottom line, another loss and time is running out. >> when are we going to wake up and finally do what we know we can do? we better get it done, man. sitting at the house in january. >> reporter: despite those three significant plays the cardinals still had two chances with under six minutes to go to go win the football game. but the offense only picked up negative 14 yards. they went backwards. so how and why did that happen?

in minneapolis with the cardinals, cameron cox, 12 sports. on second and five, chico mcclatcher into the open field. he's got great speed! he's going to have a washington touchdown! >> oh, yeah. both asu and usa went into the territorial cup game in tucson, the makeshift offensive line can't protect quarterback manny wilkins. the pass defense is pac-12. solomon injured again last night, brandon dawkins replaced him and even though asu needs a win to become bowl eligible, frankly there's nothing exciting about any ball game they can land in. so this one is all about state bragging rights. still ahead on "12 sports tonight" at 10:35 it's the most fun you can have in the west valley on a lawnmower on a saturday night whether there's action or not. plus more on the cardinals lost

will make you feel much better about humanity. don't change that channel. over to you, mark. the weather tonight giving a lot of the reason to stay inside and watch sunday night football. it was cloudy out there, rain throughout the valley for most of the afternoon. and into this evening. right now it looks like most of that rain has cleared out. but it's over yet. >> it's time to check in with meteorologist matt pace for a look at what's going on right now and what to expect tomorrow. >> there's still out there. look at the storm system that's really just starting. quite a bit of rain over arizona right now. in the valley i want to show you most of the rain for the most part has stayed on the western side of the valley. that's where it is right now. from wickenburg back down towards buckeye. if we focus our attention towards the south, you can see quite a bit of activity from gila bend, that's going to move into the southern portion of the valley as we head into the

some. up north snow falling on the san francisco peaks. a good sight to see. snow level at about 9000 feet. for the breakdown tomorrow, there it is. chance of rain in the forecast. through the noon hour. i tell you, the rain was great. it smells so good. and all of us were happy to see the rain and the cooler temperatures. that's right. and team 12 trisha hendricks joins us live right now from downtown phoenix with more on weather scene right now. hey trisha. >> reporter: hey, caribe. not a lot right now but it has been sprinkling on and off throughout the evening. a breath of fresh air for most people in and around phoenix. >> it's arizona. i'm not used to it being cold. >> it feels nice but i'm used to the heat because i was born here. >> reporter: 's cold weather is

>> i'm excited it's getting cold because it's almost like christmas and like the cold kind gets me in like the spirit. >> reporter: they already got some great deals. >> we got a little nutcracker because we go every year with like a new one. and just like, some christmas socks. because since they are like a dollar. >> reporter: they are getting a kick out of what many in the valley consider cold-weather. >> i think that like, i'm overreacting because they live in michigan. but i mean, it's still happy. like it never rains. so like it's a good change. >> reporter: this nice change of a few puddles and cooler temps means a change in wardrobe for a lot of us. >> i was in shorts and t-shirt. all week. and so i'm excited to wear my jacket. [ laughter ] >> it's beautiful right now. i don't know. it's a miracle i guess. >> pretty chilly. but i like it. waiting for this. >> reporter: same here. putting on a jacket and these rain boots for a few months out

sunny weather as well. for now we are live in phoenix, trisha hendricks, 12 news at 10:00. >> thanks, trisha. you know i love those boots by the way. good news for anyone planning to take a road trip this holiday week. gas prices are down. the average price for a gallon of regular gas is now $2.20. down $0.06 in just two weeks. as for those of you planning to fly somewhere for the holiday triple-a is expecting just over 27 min which is up 2.5% compared to last year. that is going to make certainly for some busy airports and require passengers to plan well ahead of time. the headaches are already starting even before we get to the busiest part of this week. 12 news' ryan cody is experiencing it firsthand as he tries to get to tennessee for an exclusive interview with the one and only dolly parton. >> reporter: there are few

and i think this one qualifies. heading on a 12 news road trip, heir trip i guess to the great state of tennessee. home of jack daniels, rocky top country music and country music legend dolly parton. that's the reason i'm taking the trip ahead of her nbc christmas special, christmas of many colors. we're going to get a chance to talk to dolly and spend some time in her theme park. dollywood. and take in the great smoky mountain. see what that is all about. did i say fun? still hoping it will be but it's been one heck of a day. i had a delay in phoenix which caused me to miss my connection in denver, so now i'm in chicago hoping to catch a flight to knoxville and then have an hour and half drive to pigeon forge, and dollywood. still hoping to get there and have a great time. it will be about eight or nine hours later than i anticipated. but you know what? i guess such is life during travel on thanksgiving week.

nightmares, ryan cody, 12 news. >> oh, boy. ryan as you heard there is going to be talking to dolly parton about her new musical coat of many colors which airs right here on 12 news on november 30. tomorrow night he will give us a behind the scenes look at dollywood and on tuesday he is talking to dolly herself in a 12 news exclusive. >> verify this. verify this. should i let my baby play tackle football? >> pamela jones things one bad hit and friday night lights could mean lights out for her son. so we put her in front of the experts so she could tackle the issue herself. it's a verify road trip and you are coming along for the ride. some of the best athletes in the world competing in tempe to become the iron man. and remember our interactive poll is still going on. who do you think should be to

today? bruce arians? carson palmer? or the special teams? cast your vote by going to 12news.com/yourvoice. tomorrow, only on 12 news at 10:00, we've been planning this since last year. mainly every hispanic does this. i think a keen sierra --

only on 12 news, should you let your kids play tackle football? and can help kids or keep kids from getting off track. that's right. >> but it can also be punching on the body and blows to the head can cause concussions or worse. team 12 david schechter is teaming up with the mom of a 9- year-old to verify if it's safe for her son to play football. >> ? >> reporter: my name is david schechter. i'm a veteran reporter and now i work for you.

answered. and you are coming along for the ride. this is verify road trip. football is an american classic that's in crisis. the game teaches teamwork and character but it's also far more likely than any other sport to give a kid a concussion. and that has parents worried. >> nice. that was a good one. >> joslyn myers is nine. >> can i play football? >> pamela jones doesn't like the idea but she's got an open mind and she wants to know should my kids play football? so let's start this trip out with the basics. the brain is jiggly like a jell-

changes in the brain leaving it susceptible to more stress and more injury. pamela and i are feeling a hit at dassault -- desoto high school. it's one of the top football programs in america. todd peterman is the head coach. >> at the age of nine, do you think i should let him play football? >> in my opinion i think yo coach just say no tackle football? yeah. he did. the coach has his own young son. >> the question is does my 10- year-old play tackle football? the answer is no. there's not trainers around. there's nobody trained to handle concussions that know what it looks like. >> reporter: it's the athletic trainer who identifies and treats a concussion. the national association of athletic trainers says one should be present at all games

lot of money on helmets and computers and balls and we have five sets of uniforms. right? >> wears the trainer? >> where is the one looking out for my kid? >> should i let my son play football? >> yes, but is my answer. i don't think i want my nine or 10-year-old out there hitting has with one developing. but what i be comfortable with my son here under my care? absolutely. >> reporter: in the last few years doctors have increasingly said the brain inflamed with injury needs time to heal. and continued trauma can lead to a brain disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy

>> we've put a warning label on cigarettes. why wouldn't we put a warning label on a football helmet? >> cindy is telling us that her husband grant. he played 11 seasons in the nfl. in retirement cindy says their life became almost unbearable. he was an alcoholic and impulsive and depressed. >> his speech became stuttering. at one point, he would just say the same thing over and over again. >> reporter: after grant died at 52 cindy finally learned what caused the changes to his personality. autopsy proved he had cte, something that's even been found in the brains of a select number of high school players. >> i know it's a moneymaking deal. i know i live in texas. i know a lot of coaches don't want to hear what i have to say. maybe some people don't even think it's real. i don't know that some people have even heard of cte. i would have to say to those

making this up, you still have your son or your husband. okay. i know. i'm sorry. >> i'm sorry. i told you i was a crybaby. >> me too. me too. >> do you think i should let my son play football? >> please don't. please don't. that? >> just really made my heart go out to her and just made me kind of realized that i wouldn't want that for my son. >> our final stop is a visit with dr. hunt brazier, the

nfl's top experts on concussions. new research from dr. baker's department shows even at the high school level, repeated impacts to the heads of football players can cause measurable changes in their brains. >> the question pamela has is, do helmets prevent concussions? >> no. they protect against the more violent injuries but they may magnify the mild ones. any marketing that says we reduced concussio >> reporter: pamela would ask you if she was here, should my kids play football? >> 12 to 14 is a better age. and i would say there are lots of things you need to know. >> reporter: here's what they are. kids need strong next to support their helmet and good physical conditioning. schools must have athletic trainers and concussion management programs. helmets should be less than three years old and players must be taught the right way to tackle.

scenario that's going to be very safe for that child. if any of those things are not right, it's going to be a crapshoot. >> very informative. very informative. >> reporter: that's it for pamela's journey. our question was should my kid play tackle football? what's the answer? >> my answer is no. no tackle football. at nine years old. verify that. >> reporter: but she's not against football altogether. on the one hand cindy made a big impact on her. but so did the doctors advice. so she's decided she would let him play if he's older, stronger and if the program is safe. >> what age? >> about 14 maybe. >> reporter: so you might get to play tackle yet. don't take my word for it. take hers. >> if there is something you

work to get it verified. >> here are three more of tonight headlines. a man is dead after a shooting. witnesses say there were about six or seven people fighting at the time, phoenix police are still looking for the suspect. a man is in critical condition after a car plows into him. phoenix police telling 12 news the man ran onto the street near 24th street and lincoln, investigators do not think the driver was speeding or under the influence but they think the victim may have been drinking. hundreds of athletes swam and ran in tempe today, we are checking out all the sights and sounds of the iron man triathlon coming up next on 12

they had the annual iron man triathlon in tempe today. some of the world's best bike and ran and swam their way through the grueling course. 12 news' monique griego caught up with some of the people who were cheering on these amazing athletes. >> ? >> it's different all day. it's exciting and tiring. a lot of ups and downs. >> reporter: along the route as a spectator today, she has been on the other side of the iron man arizona triathlon before. >> there's chunks of it that are missing from my memory because it's a long day and although i don't see a lot or hear a lot except for lights, you're just waiting for the finish line all night and then you finally see it and you lose it. [ laughter ] >> reporter: that finish line comes after competitors complete a 2.4-mile swim in tempe town lake, 112-mile bike ride and then a 26.2-mile run, race in that order with no break. >> being able to do the swim and finish the 2.4 miles is a

murky water. crow, stephanie kowalski is here cheering on her husband but she has tested her skills in the iron man triathlon. >> the run is where the pain starts to really come in. the run portion. i mean the swim, you are tired and the bike is long and it all kind of sets in that i've got to do a marathon. >> reporter: why put your body and mind through sh draining experience? both say it's an amazing sense of a, schmidt. >> it is surreal. awesome experience. it really is. to know that your body ago, 12 news at 10:00. the first group of finishers at the triathlon wrapped up around 4:00 this afternoon as the rain was coming down. congratulations to meredith kessler who won the women's can for the third time and canadian lionel sanders, he broke the iron man world record any time of seven hours 44 minutes and

not exactly the best weather for triathlon but we can all enjoy the cooler weather. time now to check in with matt pace for how much rain we got today. >> some locations were actually fairly impressive but unfortunately if you live in east valley you didn't see anything besides a few drops of there. look at some of these totals. a trace at phoenix sky harbor, 0.28 in sun city. that was one of the higher spots. same thing with buckeye. but it's not over yet. you can see the moisture coming in frhe off the coast of california. that's going to slide in later on tonight and that is what's going to renew the rain chances out there. you can see that on the futurecast. there's the batch of rain i was showing you earlier. as that happens we'll see more rain tomorrow morning and snow level about 8000 feet. as we move into the mid-morning to late morning hours, no level drops to 7000 feet and futurecast is showing some snow in flagstaff.

for us in the valley things are going to clear very quickly by tomorrow afternoon. high-pressure moving into our forecast and look at the next seven days in the valley of the sun, it is going to be gorgeous by thanksgiving in fact a nice warm 74 degrees. >> sounds great. thanks. don't forget this coming tuesday, turkey tuesday. i hope you'll help us feed families all across the state by donating from it -- frozen turkeys at our annual turkey drive the largest one-day turkey drive in the country. on november 22. yon team mark and vanessa and we hope you will at the food city on dysert road in avondale. >> or the better option for that you can donate to, and i we'll be at the bash is on gilbert road in chandler. you can also make a donation at any bashes and food city or at 12news.com/turkey tuesday all month long. keyboarding and our pole. who do you think is to blame for the cards lost today? bruce arians? carson palmer? the special-teams? cast your vote by going to

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