In a pivotal showdown in the NFC, the Arizona Cardinals will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in the picturesque state of Minnesota. The Cardinals are coming off a disappointing 16-6 defeat against Seattle, where they were unable to capitalize as a one-point favorite. On the other hand, the Vikings triumphed over the Chicago Bears, winning 30-27 in a thrilling overtime clash, successfully covering the spread as three-point favorites. Historically, Minnesota leads the series with a 16-12 record, including a recent 34-26 victory at home on October 30, 2022.
For reliable insights on this game, look into our NFL Predictions for expert analysis.
Curious about the outcome of this clash? Explore more insights on the Cardinals vs. Vikings prediction!
Cardinals Aim to Rebound
The Arizona Cardinals witnessed their four-game winning streak come to an end last week against Seattle. With this loss, they fell to a 6-5 record, placing them in a tie for first in the NFC West with the Seahawks, although they currently trail due to the tiebreaker. They find themselves in eighth place in the NFC playoff race, just half a game shy of Washington for the last wild card spot. In the game against Seattle, the Cardinals managed to hold a 3-0 lead in the second quarter, but they found themselves trailing 7-3 at halftime and 13-3 after three quarters. Despite a slight edge in total offense at 298-285, they struggled with first downs, allowing 17 while only securing 15 of their own, and lost the time of possession battle.
For the season, the Cardinals rank 23rd in passing offense, averaging 201.7 yards per game, while their rushing attack sits at an impressive sixth, contributing 140.3 yards per contest. They are 16th in scoring offense, posting 22.2 points per game, and 11th in scoring defense, allowing 21.5 points. Quarterback Kyler Murray has thrown for 2,343 yards, completing 215 of 313 passes with 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He is also a threat on the ground, with 380 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. James Conner leads the team with 705 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Tight end Trey McBride has emerged as a reliable target, leading in receptions and yards this season.
In terms of injuries, the Cardinals have a short list. Players such as Emeri Demercado (back), Darius Robinson (calf), Jalen Thompson (ankle), and Jonah Williams (shoulder) were limited in practice earlier this week. Updates on their status will be important as kickoff approaches.
Vikings Battling for NFC North Supremacy
The Minnesota Vikings nearly let a game slip through their fingers against the Bears but managed to secure a victory in overtime. They enter this matchup with a strong 9-2 record, currently sitting second in the NFC North, trailing the Lions by 1.5 games. The Vikings are fifth in the NFC playoff standings. In their previous outing against Chicago, they fell behind early but rallied to lead at halftime. Despite a late surge from the Bears that forced overtime, the Vikings executed a successful drive to clinch the game.
Statistically, the Vikings rank 11th in passing offense with an average of 234 yards per game and 15th in rushing with 117.1 yards per contest. They are 9th in scoring offense, averaging 24.9 points per game. Defensively, they have improved throughout the season, currently ranking 5th in scoring defense by allowing only 17.9 points per game. Quarterback Sam Darnold has thrown for 2,717 yards and 21 touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability with additional rushing yards. Aaron Jones leads the rushing attack, while Justin Jefferson remains a key receiving target.
The injury report for the Vikings indicates some notable absences. Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) and Jay Ward (elbow) were sidelined during practice, while Cam Robinson (foot) and several linebackers were limited. Monitoring their statuses will be critical as the game approaches.
Best Bets for Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings
