The Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals will do battle in a key NFC matchup.
The Vikings (8-4) face the Cardinals (10-2) Thursday, December 10 from University of Phoenix Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:25 CT.
The game will be televised by NFL Network nationally and in the Twin Cities on WCCO channel 4.
The game will be broadcast on radio by KFAN 100.3 FM and their network of affiliates.
Preview
Quarterbacks
Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater posted a passer rating of 55.4 last week against Seattle, his second-lowest passer rating of the season.
Cardinals QB Carson Palmer is second in the league in passer rating (106.3), second in yards-per-attempt (8.84) and second in touchdowns (29).
Running backs
Adrian Peterson was held to just 18 yards on 8 carries in the Vikings’ blow-out loss against Seattle.
Cardinals running back David Johnson ran for 99 yards on 22 carries last week vs. the Rams.
Wide receivers/tight ends
Stefon Diggs had just two catches for 22 yards vs. Seattle, his lowest totals since becoming a starter.
Larry Fitzgerald has 91 receptions on the season for 1,047 yards and seven TDs. Will the Vikings have Xavier Rhodes shadowing him?
Offensive line
According to PFF, Teddy Bridgewater is being pressured on 47.4% of dropbacks, the highest rate in the league.
The Cardinals are averaging 4.2 yards-per-rush-attempt, 11th highest in the league. But most of that was compiled with Chris Johnson, who is now injured.
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Defensive line
The Minnesota Vikings will be without DT Linval Joseph for the second straight game.
The Cardinals are 16th in the NFL in yards-per-rush-attempt allowed at 4.0.
Linebackers
The Vikings will be without linebacker Anthony Barr who suffered a groin injury against Seattle.
Secondary
The Vikings will be without safety Harrison Smith.
Arizona gives up 6.3 yards per pass attempt, the 5th best average in the NFL.
Special teams
Cordarrelle Patterson had his second kickoff return touchdown of the year last week against Seattle. It was the Vikings’ only score of the game.
Cardinals kicker Chandler Catanzaro has made 22-of-24 field goals this year.
Prediction: The Vikings put up a good fight but fall to the Cardinals 21-17.