The Minnesota Vikings (9-2) completed the first half of a rare NFL scheduling quirk last week, and they’ll open the second half Sunday (noon CST, FOX) in an intriguing matchup against the Arizona Cardinals (6-5) at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Vikings played their last three games on the road, and managed to win all three of them against the Jaguars, Titans and Bears. They’ll now play three in a row (and four of their final six games) at home, starting with a Cardinals team that’s been tougher than you’d expect in 2024.
Arizona is coming off a loss to the Seattle Seahawks, so it should have no problem getting up for a Vikings team that’s in the hunt for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Cards have established themselves as one of the more physical teams in football, leaning on a solid run game and a defense that’s allowed just 31 points total over its last three games.
Nothing’s been easy lately for Minnesota, but the team just continues to find ways to win and keep pace with the NFC North leading Detroit Lions (10-1). The Vikings have won four straight games, all by one possession, leaving most NFL analysts wary about their chances of truly contending in the postseason.
Here’s what NFL experts are saying about Sunday’s matchup of NFC playoff hopefuls:
NFL picks, predictions Week 13: Vikings vs. Cardinals
- Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News: Vikings 21, Cardinals 13
Iyer: “The Cardinals are much better at running the ball and playing defense at home for Jonathan Gannon. The Vikings have become red-hot offensively again, and they will be ready to go after Kyler Murray in what becomes a one-dimensional attack. Minnesota gets the key sacks and turnovers to win comfortably again.”
- Bill Bender, Sporting News: Vikings 30, Cardinals 27
Bender: “The Vikings are 4-1 S/U with three one-score victories at home this season. Arizona had its four-game winning streak snapped, and they are 2-3 S/U on the road this season. Kyler Murray took five sacks last week. The protection will need to be better if the Cardinals want to pull an upset, but we think the Vikings' charmed season continues in a wild early-window game.”
- Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Vikings 27, Cardinals 17
Cluff: “The Vikings are 4-1 at home this season and have won four straight games, and could feast on the Cardinals' offensive line after Arizona's woes protecting Kyler Murray in Seattle in Week 12.”
- Matt Johnson, Sportsnaut: Vikings 20, Cardinals 17
Johnson: “The NFC duel between the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings should be one of the best games in Week 13. Minnesota and Arizona are going to both dial up a lot of pressure on the quarterbacks, a recipe for mistakes and a low-scoring game. Ultimately, the Vikings’ talent advantage and more experience in their coaching schemes should deliver cleaner football in a nail-biting win over Arizona.”
- Ben Rolfe, Pro Football Network: Vikings 27, Cardinals 20
Rolfe: “The Minnesota Vikings looked to be back on track against the Bears in Week 12 but let the game slip through their grasp in the fourth quarter before winning in overtime. It hasn’t been convincing, but the Vikings are on a four-game winning streak, with a top-five defense in the league driving their success. They’ve fallen into the bottom half of the top 10 in our PR+ rankings but still have a slight edge over the Cardinals. These two teams are evenly matched overall but in different ways. Arizona is strong on offense but has looked better defensively in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the Vikings have a strong defense and an enigmatic offense. Minnesota has the advantage both offensively and defensively but has also played an easier schedule. The Vikings should be too much for this Cardinals team, but Kyler Murray is the potential X-factor in this one.”
