Arizona at Minnesota


Game Day Preview: Arizona at Minnesota


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CARDINALS (10-7) AT VIKINGS (15-1)
Running game
Cardinals run offense vs. Vikings run defense Advantage: Vikings With Adrian Murrell and Larry Centers, the Cardinals have a great in-and-out threat -- a very good third-down back who can block in Centers, and an very underrated runner in Murrell, who has been a big reason for Arizona's success. The Cards have to run the ball because they need to keep the game close. Minnesota is not oversized on defense. The Vikings will beat you with quickness and finesse. Defensive coordinator Foge Fazio will have a good game plan to get his players to the right spot, but the Cardinals will be able to run the ball on them. However, Arizona can't try to run east and west because Pro Bowl linebacker Dwayne Rudd and company will run them down. The Vikings defensive linemen can run down running backs, too. The Cards should run straight ahead and attack the Vikings' one weakness on defense: lack of size. If they can run some draws, show pass and hit gaps -- because the Vikings want to get to the quarterback -- the Cardinals have a chance to make some plays. However, because of the inexperience of the Cardinals offensive line and the Vikings' quickness, Minnesota has the advantage.	Vikings run offense vs. Cardinals run defense Advantage: Vikings Minnesota has a clear advantage here. The Cardinals have a young, inexperienced, but talented front seven. In two years, this matchup might be a lot different. But right now, the Cardinals don't have Eric Swann. And the Vikings offensive line of Todd Steussie, Randall McDaniel, Jeff Christy, David Dixon and Korey Stringer is as good as any in the NFL. The Vikings will win most of those battles up front. The Cardinals have to be thinking they can't let Randall Cunningham sit back in the pocket and pick them apart. They have to get to the quarterback, but that leaves a lot of running lanes. Robert Smith can turn the corner and hit the hole as fast as any running back. So the Vikings are better in this matchup physically and athletically.
Passing game
Cardinals pass offense vs. Vikings pass defense Advantage: Cardinals Secondaries are only as good as the pass rush, and the Vikings have a good one. Minnesota is a gambling, aggressive, hard-hitting team. And Jake Plummer's ability to make plays with his feet will make this an interesting matchup. The Vikings are going to give up big plays, but they'll sacrifice some big plays in order to intercept three passes. Cardinals receiver Frank Sanders has played wonderfully, and Rob Moore is a very good receiver as well. The Cardinals will have to get production from tight end Chris Gedney. Arizona will create opportunities with a lot of misdirection plays, like bootlegs. I give a little bit of an advantage to Plummer and the Cardinals.	Vikings pass offense vs. Cardinals pass defense Advantage: Vikings There's no pass defense in football that can stop the Vikings. Having Jake Reed back gives the Vikings three of the top 10 receivers in the league. Reed would be the franchise player for another team, Cris Carter is a Hall of Famer, and Randy Moss might be the best in the league now. Randall Cunningham has had a great year at quarterback. Vikings offensive coordinator Brian Billick will put his players in the right positions on the field. If the Cardinals had three cornerbacks like Pro Bowler Aeneas Williams, it wouldn't make any difference. Rookie Corey Chavous has a chance to be like Williams, but that's not nearly enough. Plus, the Vikings have a tight end in Andrew Glover who can be a threat.
Special teams
Advantage: Vikings Eric Metcalf is a great return man for the Cardinals, but Minnesota's David Palmer can go the distance at any time. The Vikings have the NFL's best kicker in Gary Anderson, and they have a great punter in Mitch Berger. The Cardinals might not be able to return a punt because of Berger's leg. Especially on artificial turf in the dome, Minnesota has a clear advantage.
Coaching
Advantage: Vikings Cardinals defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis did a great job with his game plan against Dallas. Vince Tobin is an experienced coach, and offensive coordinator Marc Trestman has done a nice job with Plummer. But the Vikings staff has been together longer. This is a tight-knit group. And Dennis Green, along with Bill Parcells, Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson, is the one of the NFL's best coaches at dealing with distractions.
Overall
Advantage: Vikings I'd like to say the Cardinals are going to keep this game close, but I think the Vikings simply have too many weapons. If Arizona gets down early, this game will be a rout. If Arizona keeps it close for three quarters, the Cardinals have a chance. But the Vikings are too focused, and they won't take the Cardinals lightly. Don't expect the Vikings to have a letdown this week.