Cardinals vs. Vikings NFL Pick With Analysis
10/8/11
The Arizona Cardinals (1-3) go on the road to visit the Minnesota Vikings (0-4). The only intriguing question about the Game is have we seen the last of Donavan McNabb? The Cardinals played well last week and dare I say rabid because of late referee call against the NY Giants. The Minnesota Viking found a way to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is definitely a match up of losing teams.
The Arizona Cardinals are a tough team to predict, they lost their last 3 Games by 8 points. Last week Beanie Wells showed some signs of life in his running Game rushing for 138 yards on 27 carries. The Cardinals allowed 2 late touchdowns against the NY Giants, but looked to be serviceable defense as they held Amad Bradshaw to 39 yards rushing. By all rights the referees stole this Game from the Cardinals by a horrible call of the receiver giving himself up.
The Minnesota Viking quite possibly could be the most talented 0-4 team in the NFL. The Vikings managed to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs team ranked last in offense and defense in the NFL. The Christian Ponder fans are out in force and I can’t agree more, because if they keep playing like this they will be in a position for Andrew LUck and could use Ponder as trade bait if he has a few good outings. Adrian Peterson also failed to break the 100 yard barrier as he carried the ball 23 times for 80 yards. With all this going on it does not appear to be a team leader to emerge with any comments/fighting words, etc. Maybe this Viking team realizes that with last weeks loss in all likelihood there is no chance of a good season with Games looming in their division like Green Bay, Chicago, and more tussle with Detroit.
These teams are mirror images of each other. Both teams have talent and both teams haven’t been able to close the deal. With the Cardinals playing in the NFC West and two Games left against division leading San Francisco there’s still a lot to play for but little room for error. Minnesota plays in the toughest division in the North that amazingly enough has the only two undefeated teams in the league. With not much to play for, it may be time for Minnesota to start playing younger players starting at Quarterback. The trend I will lean on here is the Cardinals are 5-1 underdogs vs. NFC North opponents. Take the Cardinals plus 3 as they win this Game outright 27-20.