The cure for your Thanksgiving weekend food coma kicks off the Sunday slate of games. It’ll be the first set of games in December and it all starts with the Arizona Cardinals heading to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Vikings. They’ll meet at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox at US Bank Stadium. This game has huge implications for the NFC playoff picture. So, let’s dive in and take a look at this Cardinals-Vikings preview and predictions.
Arizona had their four game win streak snapped last week with a 16-6 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That loss tied their record with Seattle who now holds the tie-breaker and hence the division lead. That also puts the Cardinals one game out of the playoff wild card spot as they chase the Commanders and Packers. Arizona’s injury report is light this week, and most if not all their key pieces should be playing Saturday.
The Vikings are trying to keep pace with the NFC North leading Detroit Lions. After opening the season with five straight wins the Vikings dropped two games. They picked it right back up from there and have won their last four games including holding on in overtime against the Chicago Bears last week. They sit second in the NFC North to Detroit and are currently the top wild card team at 9-2. Their injury report is also a light one this week.
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings Preview and Predictions Video
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings Preview and Predictions
Kyler Murray Under 23.5 Rushing Yards (-113)
Kyler Murray is usually a scrambling quarterback who you can rely on to rush the ball plenty, however, during this Cardinals winning streak that hasn’t been the case as much. Murray stands in the pocket longer and delivers more passes rather than just reverting to the run. In the Cardinals’ last four games, Murray hasn’t gone over this total and only once in the last six games he’s gone over it.
Minnesota also has the best-rushing defense in the NFL. They’ve only allowed 74.7 yards per game on the ground, and over their last three games that’s down to 55.7. Caleb Williams last week was the first quarterback on the season to rush for over 18 yards on the entire season against this defense.
Arizona Cardinals +3.5 (-110)
Both of these teams have been surprising to many on the season. Both teams also have been pretty good against the spread after being undervalued by the books. Now they meet in a big spot for both teams, but arguably a bigger spot for Arizona.
The Cardinals have a real shot at winning the NFC West and a game against the 9-2 Vikings on the road is the perfect place to show what they have.
