The Arizona Cardinals (+11) are set to face off against the Minnesota Vikings (-11) at U.S. Bank Stadium. This early afternoon matchup is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX will broadcast the action.
Betting Preview: Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals enter into this Sunday NFC game as a noticeable underdog and are currently getting 11 points. In order to take the home favorite, moneyline bettors would currently have to lay down $500 to win $100 back on the Vikes (-500). The Cardinals are getting +340 moneyline odds. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 43 points. If the underdog gets out in front in the early stages, it will likely generate a worthy betting opportunity in-game.
The Cardinals are down 3.0 units so far and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). They’ve been a good under bet and have posted an Over-Under mark of 1-4.
The Vikings have gained 1.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 2-2-1 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-3.
The Cardinals are 1-4 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Vikings are 2-2-1 SU.
The Cardinals enter after a 28-18 win over San Francisco last week. The passing game was messy as Josh Rosen completed just 10-of-25 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown. David Johnson (55 yards on 18 rush attempts, two TDs) spearheaded the running attack. Christian Kirk (three receptions, 85 yards, one TD) and Larry Fitzgerald (two catches, 35 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
Minnesota is coming off of a 23-21 win over Philadelphia last week. Kirk Cousins completed 30-of-37 passes for 301 yards and one touchdown. Latavius Murray (42 rushing yards on 11 attempts) led the running game as Stefon Diggs (10 receptions, 91 yards) and Adam Thielen (seven catches, 116 yards, one TD) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Arizona has run the ball on 41.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Minnesota has a rush percentage of 29.8 percent. The Cardinals have produced 64.6 rush yards/game and have four scores on the ground this year. The Vikes are totaling 65.8 rushing yards per game and have yet to record a rush TD.
The Cards offensive scheme has averaged 157.2 yards through the air overall and has four passing TDs so far. The Vikes have recorded an astonishing 337.6 pass yards per game and have 11 total pass score.
Arizona should possess the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 142.4 yards and throw for 270.0 yards per game. The Minnesota D has allowed 302.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 99.4 yards per game to opposing runners. The Cards are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.09 to opponents, while the Vikes have given up an 8.10 ANY/A.
Cousins likely has the edge over Rosen in this one. His adjusted net yards per pass attempt stands at 6.91 for the year and 8.37 over his last two outings while Rosen’s ANY/A is 4.94 (and 6.94 over the last two games).
Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings Free NFL Pick
SU Winner: Vikings, ATS Winner: Vikings, O/U: Over
Betting Notes
- Arizona was favored by 3 points in its last game and the Over/Under was set at 40.5. The over cashed and Arizona covered in the 28-18 win over San Francisco.
- Arizona, as a team, has averaged 2.91304347826087 yards per carry over its past three outings and 2.9 over its last two.
- Minnesota has averaged 3.2 yards per carry over its last three matchups and 3.3 over its past two.
- Minnesota has lost five fumbles this season while Arizona has let three get away.
- Over its last three matchups, Arizona is 3-0 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- Minnesota was favored by 4 points in its previous matchup and the Over/Under was set at 48.5. The under cashed and Minnesota did not cover in the 23-21 triumph over Philadelphia.
- Over its last three games, Minnesota is 1-1-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The Cardinals offense has registered one pass play of 40 yards or more, while the Vikings have put up three such plays.
- The Arizona defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Minnesota has given up six such plays.
- Both defenses have produced one rushing play of 20 or more yards and six running plays of 10+ yards.
- The Cardinals defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Vikings have given up zero such runs.
- Each team defense has produced 14 sacks this year.
