Arizona is looking to get back in the win column after a four-game heater was snapped with last week’s 16-6 loss in Seattle. The Vikings survived a scare in Chicago in Week 12, ultimately winning their fourth straight game, 30-27 in overtime.

Minnesota is a 3.5-point favourite to win on the NFL odds, with the total set at 45.0.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

This is a massive game for both teams as they each sit second in their respective divisions. The 9-2 Vikings are trying to catch red-hot Detroit in the NFC North, but any loss likely gives the division to the 11-1 Lions.

Meanwhile, the NFC West is the most tightly contested division in the NFL. Arizona and Seattle are tied with identical 6-5 records (Seahawks currently hold the tie-breaker) while the Rams and 49ers are each a game back at 5-6.

The historical edge goes to Minnesota in this game. Not only are the Vikings 4-1 at home this season, but they’ve actually won 10 straight home games against Arizona. The Cardinals are 2-3 on the road this season and 4-13 in their last 17 away dates.

Both teams have been solid cover options in 2024. Minnesota is 7-3-1 against the spread, while Arizona is 7-4-0 ATS. It is worth noting that the Cardinals have failed to cover in five straight games against the Vikings.

The Under could be the play for a couple of reasons as the total has gone Under in four of Arizona’s last five games overall as well as four of the Viking’s last five home games.

Arizona Cardinals

It was an ugly divisional loss for the Cardinals last week. Arizona struggled to generate anything offensively and settled for two field goals as the extent of the points they put on the board. Kyler Murray threw for 285 yards and one interception, while once again struggling against a competent defence. The lone bright spot was tight end Trey McBride, who finished with a season-high 133 receiving yards. Murray has targeted McBride at least four times every game this season, so you can likely expect big numbers again this week.

The Cardinals are also due for some reinforcements in the form of edge rusher Darius Robinson and safety Jalen Thompson. Robinson has not played yet this season after landing on the IR in preseason because of a calf injury. Thompson has missed the last two games with an ankle injury. Both players practiced this week and will likely be in the lineup on Sunday.

Minnesota Vikings

Sam Darnold and the Vikings continue to be the surprise of the NFL season. Darnold threw for 330 yards and two TDs in last week’s win over Da Bears, including 90 yards in overtime. Aaron Jones had a monster game with 106 rushing yards and a TD, while Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson combined for 276 receiving yards and a TD. It was a closer result than anticipated as Minnesota gave up 11 points in the final 22 seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime.

Darnold has had a bit of an up-and-down season, but overall he’s been lights out and he deserves his flowers. He was a legitimate MVP candidate through the first few weeks of the season before starting to slump during the Vikings’ trip to London, but he seems to have things back on the rails heading into Week 13. Darnold’s 19 TD passes is already a career-high, he has a career-best 67.6 completion percentage and he’s on pace to set a new career-best in passing yards, possibly as soon as this week.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Cardinals vs. Vikings?