Too Optimistic? (Week 6): 3 Bold Predictions for Vikings-Cardinals

PHOTO: Vikings.com


Back on the right track and it feels so good! The Vikings are coming off of a must-win victory in Philadelphia (make sure to remind their fans the score was 23-21). Road wins in the NFL are nothing to scoff at either. This Vikings team just showed its resilience.

Now that we are through the toughest part of the schedule at 2-2-1, we need to show the world who this team really is.

Lets get back to the basics.

Dalvin Cook rushes for 100+ yards and 1+ TD

This offense was meant to be run-first. The games we have played haven’t really allowed that though. Not only have we not had a 100 yard rusher yet this season, we haven’t had 100 team rushing yards in a game yet this season. We currently have the 30th best run offense (that’s out of 32). Yes, it’s bad.

Some of this can be attributed to Dalvin Cook’s hamstring injury, that has been ailing him for most of the season. However, now he seems to be fully healthy with a couple “full-participant” practices under his belt this week, so he should be a full go.

We haven’t seen pre-ACL-tear Dalvin back on the field like we thought we might. This is the game where he shows all the doubters that this offense can run the football with the best of them.

Let’s take a moment to remember what the former Florida State RB was doing before he went down last season:

Vikings defense allows under 200 yards passing

Now, the last time we played a rookie quarterback this year… it didn’t go as planned. Josh Rosen, however is coming off of a solid performance and his confidence is high. Now’s the time for this Vikings defense will strike.

Zimmer’s D hasn’t had a dominating performance since week 1, when they had 4 turnovers. Two starters may be out (Everson Griffen and Andrew Sendejo) but that won’t stop this defense corralling a Cardinals offense that hasn’t really done much of anything this season. I foresee both replacements (Stephen Weatherly and George Iloka) having strong performances.

Vikings offensive line doesn’t allow a sack

Our offensive line has been about what people expected coming into the season. It has been our Achilles Heal and something that has hindered our offense from being where it should be. And that’s with Kirk Cousins doing his best to make them look good.

They’re down one starter in Riley Reiff, therefore Rashod Hill will be starting at LT and rookie Brian O’Neill at RT.

Now you say, how will we play our best game as an offensive line unit, when our best starter is out? Reiff went down against the Eagles last week. When that happened, Hill slid over to LT and O’Neill came in at RT. They actually played really well and Mike Zimmer even stated that LT might be Hill’s natural position.

Lets keep Kirk Cousins on his feet this Sunday!

Final Score prediction: Vikings 27-13 Cardinals

Ian Parrague @superskolfan

Minnesota Sports Fan

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