Game Day Preview: Arizona at Minnesota


Arizona at Minnesota


Breaking down the Cardinals and Vikings


Focal Point: Moss vs. Williams


Inside the Vikings playbook

The Cardinals (10-7) head to the Metrodome for the second time in three seasons looking to end the 15-1 Vikings' recent dominance in this series as these clubs battle for the fifth straight year and second time ever in the postseason.

Including playoffs, the teams have split their previous 16 encounters. However, the Vikings have prevailed in the teams' last three battles, the most recent a 20-19 victory in 1997 (Week 6) at Sun Devil Stadium as Dennis Green's club overcame a 19-10 fourth-quarter deficit thanks to QB Brad Johnson's 1-yard TD pass to WR Cris Carter and since-departed PK Eddie Murray's 38-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining. Including playoffs, the Cardinals are 4-3 lifetime at Minnesota (4-1 at Metropolitan Stadium, 0-2 at Metrodome), their last visit to the Twin Cities a 41-17 setback in 1996. The teams' only previous postseason encounter came 24 seasons ago as Minnesota posted a 30-14 victory over the then-St. Louis Cardinals in the 1974 NFC divisional playoffs at Metropolitan Stadium.

Numbers: Including playoffs, Cardinals QB Jake Plummer has thrown 13 touchdown passes (plus rushed for three scores) and 11 interceptions in his last 10 games (7-3), this after throwing just six TD passes and 11 interceptions (plus rushed for one score) in his first seven games (3-4) in '98. Including playoffs, Plummer has thrown two or more interceptions in 12 of his last 23 contests dating back to '97. Including playoffs, the Cardinals have forced 42 turnovers in 17 games in '98, this after totaling just 20 takeaways in 16 games n '97. Including playoffs, the Cardinals have scored 220 points and allowed 215 points in their last 9 games (5-4). Including playoffs, the Cardinals have limited the opposition to 17 or fewer points in four straight games. Including playoffs, the Cardinals have allowed 128 sacks in their last 33 games dating back to '97 -- three or more QB traps in 21 of those 33 contests. Including playoffs, the Cardinals have committed two or more turnovers in 33 of their last 41 contests dating back to `96.

In 15 games in '98, Vikings QB Randall Cunningham is 13-1 as a starter, throwing 34 touchdown passes and just 10 interceptions in his 15 appearances. Including playoffs, Vikings WR Cris Carter has scored at least one touchdown in three straight games and 26 of his last 39 contests dating back to '96. In 16 games in '98, Vikings' WR Randy Moss has 17 touchdown receptions, his scores covering 48, 31, 5, 44, 52, 44, 61, 49, 51, 56, 56, 6, 3, 34, 17, 43 and 5 yards. Moss has totaled 605 yards on his 17 TD receptions, an average of 35.6 yards per touchdown catch. Moss has scored at least one touchdown in seven straight games, scoring 11 touchdowns in those contests.

The Vikings have scored 58 offensive touchdowns in 16 games in '98 (1,436 yards), averaging 24.8 yards per TD play, with 18 of those 58 scores covering 40 or more yards (12 from 50-plus yards). Including returns, the Vikings have scored 64 touchdowns in 16 games this season (1,848), averaging 28.9 yards per TD play, with 23 of those 64 scores covering 40 or more yards (17 from 50-plus yards). In 16 games in '98, the Vikings have outscored the opposition a combined 135-50 in the first quarter. Including playoffs, the Vikings have scored 22 or more points in 19 straight games dating back to '97. The Vikings have not lost a fumble in nine straight games.

The Coaches: Cardinals head coach Vince Tobin is 1-0 in postseason play, while Vikings head coach Dennis Green is 1-5 in postseason play.

Postseason History: The Cardinals are making their sixth playoff appearance (fourth since merger) and are 2-4 in postseason play (1-3 since merger), while the Vikings are making their thirrd consecutive and 21st playoff appearance (19th since merger) and are 14-20 in postseason play (12-18 since merger).

Things To Look For: While Arizona's defense has appeared to have risen to the occasion in recent weeks, none of the competition during the team's current four-game winning streak (Eagles, Saints, Chargers and Cowboys) certainly can't be considered offensive juggernauts. Dennis Green and company have had two weeks to reacquaint WR Jake Reed to the offense. A busy day for both team's secondaries.

Etc.: The Vikings are hosting their first postseason game since a 35-18 loss to the Chicago Bears in the 1994 NFC wild-card playoffs (Jan. 1, 1995). Including playoffs, the Cardinals have won four straight games. The Vikings have won eight straight games. The Vikings have won nine straight home games dating back to '97. The Vikings were 47-13-1 at home (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1967-81 at Metropolitan Stadium, while the Vikings are 47-32 (including playoffs) in the months of November, December and January from 1982-98 at the Metrodome.