(Photo: Clutchpoints)
NFC Game Of The Week
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Cardinals: After winning four consecutive games, the winning streak came to an end and they ran into a brick wall in Seattle on Sunday. Again, these divisional games are tough and you just never know what you’ll get. A perfect example of this is the Steelers and Browns last Thursday night. I’ve often referred to division showdowns as trap games. There are some days when you have it working for you and you’ll also have that one game where it falls apart and that’s exactly what happened to them in week 12. 17, 26, 29, and 31, those are all the point totals the Arizona Cardinals recorded during their four-game winning streak and I just mentioned that Kyler Murray was playing some of the best football of his career. Of course, people will hold who they’ve defeated during that winning streak against them as they beat the Los Angeles Cardinals, Miami Dolphins (on the road), the Chicago Bears, and the New York Jets. Against the Seahawks on Sunday, they were held to six points and kept in check throughout the game. I’ll give their defense all the credit in the world because they held them in this game, it was just the struggles of the offense. Despite their loss, the Cardinals are still in first place in this division. This Sunday afternoon, they will make their way to Minneapolis for a crucial showdown in the NFC.
Vikings: I have to admit I haven’t been impressed with them as of late and this goes back to their showdown in London with the New York Jets. The record may say 9-2, but the play hasn’t necessarily reflected upon the record. They struggled in their two losses against the Detroit Lions and Los Angeles Rams, but even in the wins since that loss to L.A., something hasn’t seemed right. I look at how they struggled to survive the Jacksonville Jaguars and even the Tennessee Titans. Also, throw the Indianapolis Colts in the mix as well, because they had plenty of opportunities to pull away and they couldn’t. The Minnesota Vikings haven’t played a complete game of football since week three when they dominated the Houston Texans. But, here they are sitting at 9-2 and in second place in the NFC North. Even on Sunday in Chicago against the Bears, they got all they could handle from their divisional rivals, but they were able to survive. This was the best I’ve seen Sam Darnold look in a while because he took care of the football and didn’t turn it over most importantly. In an NFC with the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, and the entire NFC West, the Vikings are sandwiched in there and have held their own. They return home Sunday for a showdown with the leaders of the NFC West.
Cardinals X-Factor: James Conner– They’re a better offense when he’s more involved. Even if the rushing attempts are eye-opening, James continues to churn away to attack a defense. The more you feed him the ball, the more fired up he becomes and that’s a contagious energy that can be had by the entire team just because of one guy. James is a physical runner who can move through traffic and run through defenders. This Arizona offense has the playmakers and this is one of them.
Vikings X-Factor: Jonathan Greenard– This was such an underrated signing by the Vikings in the off-season. To play for a Brian Flores-coached defense, you must play fast, downhill, and get to the ball which is exactly what Jonathan does. He made so many plays last year with the Houston Texans and he’s added that to the Minnesota Vikings defense that’s been ranked as one of the best in the league. I’ve seen him use that speed to get after Lamar Jackson and sack him. Anyone who can do that is great to me. Jonathan will have to contain Kyler Murray in this game.
Final Thoughts: These are two teams who are fighting for positioning in the NFC. Despite the loss last weekend, the Arizona Cardinals are still in first place in the NFC West, and the Minnesota Vikings are in second place looking up to the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. This Arizona team has played a more physical style of football leaning on the running game and a defense that’s given up a total of 31 points in their last few games. Meanwhile, on the Minnesota side, it hasn’t been the easiest lately, but they have found ways to win football games and keep pace with the Lions in the division. I expect this Vikings defense to be ready for the Cardinals and turn them into a one-dimensional team on Sunday. On the other side of the ball, they have found their swagger again as an offense. Both of these defenses will be dialing up pressures all game long. Ultimately, the Vikings have the edge in the talent department and that will work in their favor on Sunday. I like Minnesota on Sunday to get a win.
Prediction: Vikings 21, Cardinals 13
