Teams in Opposite Positions Meet
The Cardinals have had a bumpy start to the season. Arizona won its first game in three weeks when it defeated the Saints 42-34 last week. The Cardinals, now 3-4, are last in the NFC West with losses to the Rams and Seahawks.
The Vikings, coming off their bye, have won four in a row, putting them first in the NFC North. The Vikings’ 5-1 record includes wins over the Packers, Bears, and Lions.
The teams are also on opposite spectrums regarding the odds of winning their divisions. Arizona, with (+800) odds, is given the worst chance to win the NFC West, while Minnesota has the best chance to win the NFC North with (-750) odds.
Let’s check the latest NFL odds, stats, injury reports, and NFL lines for Cardinals vs Vikings. We’ve plenty of Vegas NFL odds for you to consider.
Cardinals Return Key Piece
Part of the reason the Cardinals have been struggling is being without a key player on offense.
Arizona wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returned in Week 7 after a six-game suspension, providing a spark.
In his first game back, Hopkins led the team with 10 receptions for 103 yards, helping to lead the Cardinals to their highest point total of the season.
Arizona scored 42 points with Hopkins back after averaging 19 points in his first six games.
Hopkins’ return also helped quarterback Kyler Murray’s production, as Murray’s completion percentage and QBR both increased with the wideout back.
Before Hopkins’ return, Murray completed 64.9% of his passes, which jumped to 69.2%. His QBR also increased from 47.3 to 64.3.
With Hopkins back in the lineup, the Cardinals’ offense should continue to improve.
Vikings Stay Strong
The Cardinals may have gotten a dynamic playmaker back. However, the Vikings also have their own offensive threats for Arizona to try and stop.
Minnesota is 10th in the NFL in passing yards, averaging 242 yards a game.
The Vikings’ ability to rely on any of its three wide receivers at any given moment is part of the reason their passing game is a key part of their success, as Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and KJ Osborn have all played a role in Minnesota’s wins.
Though Jefferson is the clear top receiver on the team, leading with 46 receptions for 654 yards and two touchdowns, Thielen and Osborn have also been crucial.
Thielen is second with 29 receptions for 284 yards and two touchdowns, while Osborn has been able to step up when Jefferson has been double-covered.
Osborn’s best game came in Week 3 against the Lions when Jefferson had 14 yards. Osborn caught the game-winning touchdown with under a minute left on his way to recording 73 receiving yards off five receptions.
Minnesota’s offense should continue to thrive, with three receivers able to contribute at any time.
Cardinals vs Vikings Injury Report
Cardinals vs Vikings Head-to-Head
Minnesota and Arizona have met 27 times in the regular season, with the Vikings leading the series 15-12. The Cardinals won the last game 34-33 in September 2021 in Arizona, while Minnesota won the meeting before that 27-17 in October 2018 in Minnesota.
Cardinals vs Vikings Game Information
- Game: Cardinals vs Vikings
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 30th
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- How to watch Cardinals vs Vikings? ESPN
Cardinals vs Vikings Live stream: NFL Game Pass
Take a Look at Other 2 Previews, Picks & Predictions For NFL Week 8 Matchups
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Cardinals vs Vikings Betting Lines
Cardinals vs Vikings Prediction
Sunday’s game should be an offensive battle between Arizona and Minnesota, with both teams’ passing defenses in the bottom 10 in the league.
Minnesota has needed some come-from-behind wins. However, the Vikings are coming off a bye, and the Cardinals haven’t won two in a row this season.
The return of Hopkins should keep the Cardinals in the game, but with Minnesota hosting, expect the Vikings to cover with a close betting line.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
