The Viking Age
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5 keys to victory: Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals

By Adam Carlson

Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) against the Minnesota Vikings at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon (21) catches a pass against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

 #1. Run the football well

Every week one of these ‘5 keys to success’ is one, there is one key that has remained the same throughout. And the fact that it stay in this list and doesn’t become a given or strength becomes more frustrating with each passing week.

The Vikings are in dangerous territory when it comes to running the football. They are having a historically bad season on the ground and there is no reason to believe that the team will be getting any better in this respect any time soon.

Minnesota is only averaging 2.7 yards per carry, with both Matt Asiata and Jerick McKinnon at 3 yards per carry. But those numbers don’t tell the whole story, as the team as a whole gets only 69.8 yards on the ground per game, which is quite pathetic by today’s NFL standards.

Arizona gives up the 8th fewest yards per carry. Thankfully, it isn’t all bad news, since the team has given up 9 rushing touchdowns this season. There is hope the Vikings will find the end zone on Sunday, but getting there could be difficult.

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