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Minnesota Vikings at Arizona Cardinals NFL Odds & Betting

Written by Jimmy Boyd

vikes-cards

Though the Arizona Cardinals have clinched a playoff spot by winning the NFC West, they plan on continuing to play their horses so they don’t lose any momentum. Minnesota has no choice but to pull out all the stops as it is in a heated race with the Chicago Bears for the NFC North crown and the pressure is on as the Bears beat the Saints in the Thursday night NFL opener. Odds makers don’t think Minnesota will be able to get the job done however, and have listed the Vikings as the 3-point underdog with the total set at 46.5.

The Cardinals are 8-5 and have already clinched the NFC West title with three games to spare. They will be looking to improve their playoff seeding over the next few weeks. The Arizona faithful is ecstatic as this marks just the second time the red birds have made the playoffs since moving from St. Louis in 1988. Arizona currently holds the four seed but could move to the three seed with a win over the Vikes. The good news is that either seed enables them to host a first-round playoff game. It will mark the franchise’s first home playoff game in 61 years. Much of Arizona’s success this season can be attributed to the decision to go with veteran QB Kurt Warner as the starter and not Matt Leinart, whom the team drafted to be its franchise QB. Warner is having his best season since 2001 when he took the Rams to the Super Bowl. Last Sunday, Warner beat up on his former team as he helped the Cards beat the Rams 34-10. Warner was an impressive 24 of 33 for 279 yards and a touchdown. He leads an offense which has been tough to stop, especially in the desert. Arizona has topped the 30-point mark six times this season. The Cardinals are now 5-1 at home on the season and 11-3 since coach Whisenhunt came aboard.

Besides Warner, it has been an improved defensive unit that has spurred on Arizona’s turnaround. The Cards rank 10th in the NFL in total defense, allowing only 312.6 yards per game. If you like Arizona at home this week, bet the Cardinals at -3 at Bookmaker.

The Vikings have not been to the postseason in three years now but they are flirting with breaking that streak this season. A win over Arizona enables them to keep a one-game lead in the division and it puts them in pretty good position as they hold the tie breaker over the Bears. Minnesota also turned to a veteran QB to help its playoff hopes and the move paid off. Gus Frerotte came in for Tarvaris Jackson and quickly got things moving in the right direction. But Frerotte’s lower back injury forced him out of last Sunday’s game against Detroit and the Vikings got a major scare as they were just able to edge out the Lions 20-16 with Jackson under center. If Frerotte is healthy, he will play, but at this point the team is not sure who will get the call Sunday. Jackson was benched in September after two shaky games which left Minnesota at 0-2. Jackson was impressive against the Lions however, completing 8 of 10 passes for 105 yards, including the go-ahead touchdown. He posted a career-best QB rating of 143.8.

Minnesota’s defense will likely be responsible for keeping them in this game as they boast the 7th ranked total defense in the league, allowing only 291 yards per game. They have been a brick wall against the run, allowing only 73.3 yards per game as the NFL’s second-ranked run defense. Minnesota will have to be at its best against the pass though this week as the Cards hoist it up with the best of them in the league. If you like Minnesota to get the job done on the road, bet the Vikings at +3 at Bookmaker.

Bet on the NFL right alongside Jimmy Boyd this week for guaranteed results against the NFL odds.

Editor’s Note: You don’t want to miss Jimmy Boyd’s 5* NFL Blowout of the Year in his Sunday NFL picks package.

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on December 12, 2008 · Filed Under NFL Betting Articles, News & Previews 

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