Week 11 Preview: Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals

The Minnesota Vikings are now in utter desperation mode as they are coming off of their fourth straight defeat after starting the season a perfect 5-0. Much of what was working for them the first five games has simply fizzled out completely.

The Vikings now get to face a team just as desperate for a win as they are when the Arizona Cardinals come to U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday. The Cardinals (4-4-1) come into town after narrowly escaping the one win 49ers this past Sunday. The game between two struggling teams can be watched at noon, Central Time on FOX.

Both teams will most assuredly need this win in order to have a chance to make the playoffs in a suddenly cluttered NFC. The winner still has a slim chance of hope; the loser may have to wait until next season for a chance at the playoffs.

Most fans will remember last season’s meeting between the Cardinals as the game the whole world knew the Vikings’ offensive line had issues as the game ended on a strip sack when the Vikings were near field goal range. Had the Vikings won that game, the playoff picture could have been much different, as well as the outcome.

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Essentials to win the game

Starting fast is something the Vikings should look to do a little more often of. The scripted plays are either just a failed attempt at guessing what the other team does defensively or they are executing them poorly. No matter what the case may be, the Vikings should try to run a more up tempo offense to start the game. The Cardinals have shown immense susceptibility defensively if they have to play from behind.

This game could easily get ugly in a hurry if the Vikings cannot figure out how to keep a clean pocket for Sam Bradford. The Cardinals have one of the most talented defensive fronts in all of football and can bring pressure from anywhere on the field. Now with even less depth at offensive line, the Vikings are stuck with what they have and must make whatever concoction they throw out there to be the winning elixir.

Possible downfalls to avoid

This may be tough for younger fans to understand but there was a time when the Vikings were able to run the ball. This season is not one of those times. Please oh please do not make the fans watch another short yardage situation go to Matt Asiata. It is now time to abandon all hope of a running game and spread the field as much as possible.

It would be easy for the Vikings to hang their head in this situation and get completely destroyed at home. This team has to show they have fight left in them by avoiding getting sucked into the pit of despair. Arizona is in just as much turmoil, if not more as they try to battle for a playoff spot. The biggest downfall would be to start turning mistakes into instant points for the other team. Sooner or later, one of Bradford’s projected passes is going to be housed for six points the other way. The Vikings hope that never happens, especially this week.

Player spotlight

The Cardinals defense has its very own Pro-Bowl roster but they only go as far as Tyrann Mathieu takes them. He is coming off a season ending knee injury that has kept him and the team limited in what they do with him. If that was not enough to hobble him this season, he recently just returned to practice after an apparent shoulder injury.

Since the Cardinals have such a talented group of defenders, the third and fourth receivers for the Vikings will have to step up. Cordarrelle Patterson and Adam Thielen must have great games in order for the Vikings to pull out the much needed victory.

Although not mentioned in the essentials to win the game section, running back David Johnson is about as talented as any back in the NFL. It may not be essential to stopping him in order to win because it is basically impossible to stop him completely. If the Vikings can avoid him breaking the 150 combined yards mark, they might be in business.

Although not usually a spot in which kickers and punters get mentioned, both teams have had their issues on special teams. For the Vikings, Blair Walsh is out and Kai Forbath is in as the place kicker. For the Cardinals, punter, Ryan Quigley is out; Drew Butler is in. The Cardinals currently sit dead last in net punting average at 36.8 yards per punt, according to ESPN stats and info.

This section could go on and on with Anthony Barr, Eric Kendricks and Xavier Rhodes all dealing with injuries and needing to step up when in there. The Vikings defense just is not the same machine when these guys are ailing or not at their best.

This section could also mention this is the eighth time the Minnesota native and former Vikings’ ball boy Larry Fitzgerald will play the purple. The Vikings currently hold a 5-2 edge over their former ball boy. Vikings.com Assistant Editor, Lindsey Young adds more about Fitzgerald’s return.

Game Projection

The Cardinals start out about as slow as any other team in the NFL. Apparently whoever scripts their plays may have some connection to the Vikings play-calling as well. Not that the Vikings are any better early on in games; this one could be an offensive stalemate early on.

Once the Cardinals realize the Vikings do not have an answer for David Johnson in the flat, they will run short screens until the Vikings stop them. By that time, it may be too late as the blocking lanes then open up and Johnson runs rampant after being handed the ball.

As noted earlier, the Vikings must keep the game’s tempo in their favor. If they can keep the Cardinals defense on the field and gassed, they can pull off the upset.

Chances are that Stefon Diggs will not reach 13 catches for the third straight week in this one as the Cardinals still have some of the best defensive backs in the league. However, that should not stop the offense from trying to get him the ball in space. It will only be a matter of time before he hits pay dirt once again.

The most defensively sound team wins this game. As of late, neither team has been wowing spectators with their defensive prowess. However, the Cardinals pass rush will be too much for the Vikings, even at home. The Cardinals keep their playoff hopes alive, all the while crushing the hopes of the Vikings and their fans by a score of 27-17. If there ever was a time for this writer to be wrong, fans hope this week is that time.

Justin Ekstrom can be followed on Twitter @thesportscrib21 and be sure to follow and comment about vikings32 on Facebook and Twitter.

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