The Arizona Cardinals (6-5) and Minnesota Vikings (9-2) face off in NFL Week 13 at 1 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The game will be live on FOX and can be streamed on YouTube TV.
The Vikings are favored by 3.5 points with the game total set at over/under 45 points scored. The Vikings are -180 favorites to win outright on the moneyline, while the Cardinals are +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Cardinals vs. Vikings picks and NFL picks.
The Cardinals lost 16-6 to the Seahawks last week, snapping their four-game winning streak. Kyler Murray threw for 285 yards, but Arizona only ran for 49 as the offense sputtered. The Vikings won 30-27 over the Bears and are on a four-game winning streak. Sam Darnold threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns while Aaron Jones rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Cardinals vs. Vikings Prediction
Spread
I'm passing on betting the spread.
This upstart Cardinals team has surprised people all season, so I'm not going to fade them here.
Over/Under
I'm betting a specific game total here.
The Vikings have been prolific in the first quarter at 8-2-1 against the first-quarter spread. The Cardinals have also put up points in the opening 15 minutes more often than not this season.
I'm combining those forces and betting the over on the first quarter.
My Pick: 1Q Over 7.5
Moneyline
Like the spread, I'm not betting either team's moneyline.
Cardinals vs. Vikings Odds
| Cardinals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | +150 |
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -110 | 45 -110o / -110u | -180 |
- Cardinals vs. Vikings spread: Vikings -3.5
- Cardinals vs. Vikings over/under: 45 points
- Cardinals vs. Vikings moneyline: Vikings -180, Cardinals +150
- Cardinals vs. Vikings best bet: 1Q Over 7.5
MyCardinals vs. Vikings best bet is on the first-quarter over. For all of your NFL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NFL odds page.
Cardinals vs. Vikings Preview
The Vikings' pass defense ranks well in DVOA over the course of the entire season, but they're outside the top 10 in their last six games. This isn’t a great matchup to get right either.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has made a name for himself this year by blitzing at will and putting opposing quarterbacks under immense pressure.
Kyler Murray, though, might be the best-equipped quarterback in the NFL to deal with that. His mobility will be key.
The Cardinals defense has improved a lot, but they're a top-10 unit at home and a bottom-10 one on the road.
Both offenses can find answers, and they’re the top-two offenses in the first quarter, according to DVOA, in the NFL.
The Cardinals have scored a first-quarter touchdown in seven of 11 games this season and are averaging 5.7 points per game in the first. The Vikings have 10 first-quarter TDs in 11 games and are averaging 7.5 points in the first.
Minnesota also had Aaron Jones fumble at the 1-yard line last week and and then scored on the first play of the second quarter.
Shop around because some books have this at 9.5 and others at 7.5. It’s pretty much the same since it’s unlikely three field goals take place in one quarter.
Take the points, though, and be sure to get 7.5.
My Pick: 1Q Over 7.5 (-115)
Cardinals vs. Vikings Betting Trends
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