Cardinals Def/Spec Team: Arizona to face struggling Vikings run game

And as if facing the Vikings defense wasn’t enough of a challenge, the Cardinals offensive line is still learning to play together as a unit.

The Vikings have only three sacks over the past four games. Not only have the Packers fell out of the talk of competing for a title, but they are now struggling to even stay in playoff contention, standing at a very disappointing 4-5.

Sam Bradford and the Vikings were once considered the best team in the NFC.

“It’s just us coming to practice every week and perfecting our craft and not going through the motions, so when we get to game day we’re flying on a full ship”. He has never won in Minnesota. Now, four games and four losses, later, questions loom about what is wrong with Minnesota. That’s kind of what happened at the beginning of the season.

Of course, it will be a real benefit to have players healthy and available for the game. They kept a two-game lead over Arizona in the NFC West. Both teams desperately need this win to stay alive in the NFC Wildcard hunt. The partisan crowd at The Vault will be wild for a win, after seeing the first game lost there two weeks ago against Detroit.

That leaves T.J. Clemmings and Jeremiah Sirles starting at tackle, and both are struggling badly.

The injury report for the Cardinals and Vikings is extensive. “We just need to settle down”.

Jones said he does feel he can get into a rhythm with his pass rush, but “each week is a new week”, he said.

Arizona’s injuries have hit hardest in the secondary. Safety Andrew Sendejo suffered an ankle injury in that game and then sat out the next week at Chicago.

For the Vikings, defensive Sharrif Floyd (knee) is out.

Since opening last season 8-0, the Bengals have won only seven of 18 games, including a playoff meltdown loss to Pittsburgh.

“My shoulder feels fine, it’s stable for the moment”, Mathieu told the Arizona Republic.

“When you’re struggling and you’ve got a bunch of really good guys, guys that really care, guys tend to try to do a little too much, including myself”, coach Mike Zimmer said.

“I’ve always respected [Mike Zimmer] as one of the most sound, aggressive defensive coaches that I’ve ever gone against”, Arians said.

Cam Newton threw for 192 yards and a touchdown in the game marred by injuries to former National Football League defensive player of the year Luke Kuechly (concussion), center Ryan Kalil (shoulder), defensive end Mario Addison (foot) and cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest). “It’s not like I’ve got a big body of work there”.

Arizona owns the league’s second-ranked defense in terms of yardage, one spot ahead of Zimmer’s Minnesota crew.

Sunday marks kicker Kai Forbath’s first game with Minnesota. Arizona, surprisingly, is only 20th, scoring 22.4 points per game.

One of the biggest surprises this season has been wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

“Probably the best group that we’ve faced”, Bradford said.

There’s no shortage of concerns at the position the Vikings made their top priority in free agency, and history doesn’t offer a particularly rosy outlook for teams in the Vikings’ situation making a playoff run. Arizona re-signed Drew Butler and released fellow P Ryan Quigley, who averaged 41.6 yards on 34 punts. We’ve just got to get out there and keep rushing. It’s just part of it.