Freeney’s defensive play saves Arizona’s 23-20 win

The Minnesota Vikings’ running back admitted to the media that he feels like the team could have been coached better against the Seattle Seahawks (7-5).

The Vikings are way behind in the odds to win outright tonight. The Cardinals are 17-4 at home in three seasons under Arians.

On other hand, let’s look at keys to win for Minnesota Vikings (8-4).

The Vikings are heading into this game after getting beaten up by the Seattle Seahawks in one of those painful reality checks.

“We didnt play good in any team phase, ” coach Mike Zimmer said.

Adrian Peterson said the more carries he gets, the more he believes he can help a Minnesota Vikings offense that has struggled to consistently deliver big plays.

Peterson only got eight carries in the loss – the fewest he’s had in a game where he wasn’t hurt – and said he was frustrated by the lack of opportunities on Sunday.

Meanwhile Arizona continues it surge for possibly the NFC’s No. 1 seed after demolishing St. Louis 27-3 behind quarterback Carson Palmer’s eighth game of 300-plus yards passing and a defense that allowed one third down conversion and 212 total yards. The Cardinals have one more coming up: The NFL has flexed the December 20 game against Philadelphia to Sunday night. I think the Cardinals offense has its way with the Vikings defense, but we’ll see what the short week means for this game. Minnesota’s defense carried the club to a 7-2 start – even after last week they still rank fourth with 19.3 points per game allowed – but if Seattle was able to score 38 points against this injury depleted unit, what will the league’s best offense be able to achieve?

Over the last couple of weeks the Cardinals have settled in to the team I really think they are, early in the season they beat up on lesser teams behind fresh legs on the ground, Carson Palmer throwing the ball down field and running up the score.

There hasn’t been much inconsistency from Teddy Bridgewater at the quarterback position, but he definitely needs to be “let loose” if this team is to compete at a higher level. “But we’re focusing now on Arizona and trying to get this thing back on the right track”. Still, the Vikings put this performance together without their three best defensive players, so if you’re into moral victories, maybe this qualifies. Expect Peterson and the Vikings to come out with something to prove today.

The Vikings play the Chicago Bears next week. The Cardinals have the home field advantage, and they still have a chance at catching the Panthers for first place. There is still some football to play before the playoffs, but it would be hard to consider this Arizona squad anything less than a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.