09-18-2021, 02:15 PM
What I like:
Dalvin Cook v. Cardinals run defense
Cardinals finished as a bottom third run defense last year and didn't do a lot to improve that this year, favoring instead their pass rush by adding JJ Watt. Watt isn't what he used to be, but ironically, he might be their best run defender. Heads up to Bradbury: they have a fatty in Leki Fotu. Problem is, he just isn't very good. Neither is the other guy inside. Vikings should find some success on the ground. They did OK against the Titans last week, but that was about game script. With the Cardinals up 24-6 at the half, Henry was a non-factor. Vikings can't let that happen. Cook has to break a few. This is one of their few paths to victory. If the Vikings can get up early, they can pull this off against what just might be the greatest team of our generation--at least according to most Viking fans.
Vikings receivers v. Cardinals corners
Vikings should win this matchup. Question is, though, will Cousins have enough time to find them? In order to take advantage of this matchup Vikings will first have to win a matchup that doesn't favor them: Vikings pass pro v. Cards pass rush.
What I don't like:
Chandler Jones v. Vikings OL
Will Chandler Jones break the NFL season sack record after only two games? He just might. You can try to double team him, but he moves all over the field--right, left, up the middle, so that's not going to be an easy thing to do. Maybe have CJ Ham follow him around like puppy.
Kyler Murray
Running QBs like this render good defenses irrelevant. And I'm not sure we're even good yet. Guessing the Vikings put Blake Lynch on Murray as a spy, since putting Kendricks on him would be a waste of his much needed skills elsewhere. Really like what I've seen from Lynch so far. Fastest LB on the team and has shown flashes. This is his chance to lay claim to Barr's job next year.
Cardinals receivers v. Vikings secondary
Deandre Hopkins is the best all-around receiver in the NFL. I would put Patrick Peterson on him and hope for the best, but Nuk should win that. I think the rest of our DBs matchup OK against Christian Kirk and the lifeless shell of what used to be AJ Green. The guy who scares me most is Rondale Moore. Tried to get him on my fantasy team and lost the bid by $1, so I full expect him to break some kind of points record.
Vikings 27 Cardinals 24
Dalvin Cook v. Cardinals run defense
Cardinals finished as a bottom third run defense last year and didn't do a lot to improve that this year, favoring instead their pass rush by adding JJ Watt. Watt isn't what he used to be, but ironically, he might be their best run defender. Heads up to Bradbury: they have a fatty in Leki Fotu. Problem is, he just isn't very good. Neither is the other guy inside. Vikings should find some success on the ground. They did OK against the Titans last week, but that was about game script. With the Cardinals up 24-6 at the half, Henry was a non-factor. Vikings can't let that happen. Cook has to break a few. This is one of their few paths to victory. If the Vikings can get up early, they can pull this off against what just might be the greatest team of our generation--at least according to most Viking fans.
Vikings receivers v. Cardinals corners
Vikings should win this matchup. Question is, though, will Cousins have enough time to find them? In order to take advantage of this matchup Vikings will first have to win a matchup that doesn't favor them: Vikings pass pro v. Cards pass rush.
What I don't like:
Chandler Jones v. Vikings OL
Will Chandler Jones break the NFL season sack record after only two games? He just might. You can try to double team him, but he moves all over the field--right, left, up the middle, so that's not going to be an easy thing to do. Maybe have CJ Ham follow him around like puppy.
Kyler Murray
Running QBs like this render good defenses irrelevant. And I'm not sure we're even good yet. Guessing the Vikings put Blake Lynch on Murray as a spy, since putting Kendricks on him would be a waste of his much needed skills elsewhere. Really like what I've seen from Lynch so far. Fastest LB on the team and has shown flashes. This is his chance to lay claim to Barr's job next year.
Cardinals receivers v. Vikings secondary
Deandre Hopkins is the best all-around receiver in the NFL. I would put Patrick Peterson on him and hope for the best, but Nuk should win that. I think the rest of our DBs matchup OK against Christian Kirk and the lifeless shell of what used to be AJ Green. The guy who scares me most is Rondale Moore. Tried to get him on my fantasy team and lost the bid by $1, so I full expect him to break some kind of points record.
Vikings 27 Cardinals 24