The Arizona Cardinals (6-5) travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings (9-2). Our Cardinals vs Vikings prediction is for underdog Arizona to cover the 3.5-point spread.
Arizona is surprisingly fighting for first place in the NFC West. Their Week 12 loss in Seattle broke a four-game win streak and put them in second place. Minnesota needs a win to stay one game behind scorching Detroit in the tough NFC North.
Head-to-head, Minnesota leads 18-12.
Offshore Odds: Vikings Are Favored by 3.5 at Home
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | +3.5 (-115) | +155 | O 44.5 (-110) |
| Vikings | -3.5 (-105) | -175 | U 44.5 (-110) |
Arizona Needs a Win to Boost Its Divisional Chances
With San Francisco injury-ravaged and the Los Angeles Rams on their heels, Arizona’s loss to Seattle put them second in the division based on their current head-to-head record. With the Seahawks playing the Jets, Arizona needs to beat Minnesota ahead of their rematch at home in Week 14.
The Cardinals were not expected to contend this season, but they are more than the sum of their parts. They’re not great at any one thing, but they have played well when it counted and quarterback Kyler Murray is having a Pro Bowl season.
Their running game has been solid with James Connor and Murray. Whether they can break through against the Vikings’ defense, ranked first in the NFL in yards per game on the ground, is the question. Minnesota is highly vulnerable through the air, so this could be a coming-out party for Marvin Harrison Jr.
Minnesota’s Divisional Chances Are Dwindling
The Vikings are still grappling with Green Bay for playoff position, one-half game ahead of them after the Packers’ Thanksgiving night win over Miami. Minnesota has the tiebreaker by their head-to-head win earlier in the season. It is unlikely that they or anyone else catches Detroit.
The past few weeks have been a struggle nearly blowing their game in Chicago before winning in overtime and struggling to get past Jacksonville. The win over the Bears is worrisome. With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Minnesota led 27-16. A Bears touchdown cut the lead to 27-24. Chicago then recovered the onside kick and tied the game with a field goal with no time on the clock. The Vikings won in overtime, but that kind of struggle is a bad sign.
Much will be made of the decision to sign Daniel Jones to the practice squad, but that is no indictment on Sam Darnold. It’s a safety net.
If Arizona can move the ball through the air, it should open up their running game.
Cardinals vs Vikings Prediction: Arizona Covers In a Tight Battle
Both teams need this win, but Arizona needs it more. Minnesota has played with fire in recent weeks but escaped. This game should be more of the same with underdog Arizona keeping the game within 3.5 points.
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