Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Riding DeAndre Hopkins and the Cardinals

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction, Pick, Odds: Riding DeAndre Hopkins and the Cardinals

Kyler Murray and the rest of the Arizona Cardinals will hit the road to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. The Vikings are well-rested coming off of their Bye Week, so how will Arizona keep their winning momentum going after securing a big primetime win against New Orleans in Week 7?

Kirk Cousins is inside the current MVP top-ten at +4000 and while he has yet to have an explosive game with three touchdowns and 300 passing yards, the veteran quarterback is providing accuracy and consistently good decision-making under center. First-year head coach Kevin O'Connell's arrival has done wonders for Cousins, who was previously playing in a stale offense that was outdated under former defensive-minded head coach Mike Zimmer. Justin Jefferson continues to shine, while Dalvin Cook keeps defenses honest with his explosiveness out of the backfield.

Can the Vikings stay hot and continue stacking wins? Or will the Cardinals get back-to-back wins for the first time this season? Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Sunday's game in Minneapolis between the Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings.

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Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings Start Time, Where to Watch, and Odds

• Date: Sunday, October 30
• Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where to Watch: FOX

Vikings vs Cardinals Odds

• Spread: Arizona +4 (-115), Minnesota -4 (-105)
• Total Odds: Over/Under 49 (-110)
• Moneyline: Arizona (+160), Minnesota (-190)

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Vikings vs Cardinals Injury Report

Cardinals

Questionable: RB James Conner (Ribs), RB Darrel Williams (Knee), CB Trayvon Mullen Jr. (Hamstring), OL Rodney Hudson (Knee), K Matt Prater (Hip)

Out: WR Marquise Brown (Foot), OL Justin Pugh (Knee)

Vikings

Questionable: DE D.J. Wonnum (Illness)

Out: S Lewis Cine (Leg), WR Bisi Johnson (Knee)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals Prediction

One of the most enticing statistics that are relevant for this NFC tilt in Week 8 paints a bad picture for the Cardinals. In the past 31 years, the Cardinals are 0-10 playing in Minneapolis. The Vikings have covered the spread in each of its last three games against the Cardinals at home. It boils down to which team gets home-field advantage in this series, as Arizona has won both previous games in the Desert against Minnesota.

Quietly, Minnesota has built a good defense, ranking T8th in sacks (2.8) and turnovers (1.7) per game this season. Za'Darius Smith was a massive signing from Green Bay this offseason, pairing him opposite edge rusher Danielle Hunter, which will continuously create pressure in Kyler Murray's face. The recipe for success from Arizona's perspective cannot be a heavy rushing attack like we saw against New Orleans last week. Minnesota's defense is allowing 112.5 rushing yards per game, but its weakness is the pass defense.

DeAndre Hopkins has force-fed targets from Murray during his return from a six-game suspension, converting 13 targets into ten receptions for over 100 receiving yards. Marquise Brown's injury derailed what could've been a high-flying air raid offense in a plus-matchup, but Rondale Moore and A.J. Green will need to step up their production. Eno Benjamin and Keontay Ingram have filled in nicely for James Conner during the last couple of weeks. Both have a good pass-catching ability, bailing Murray out of pressure in the pocket.

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Minnesota will dial up at least 35 pass attempts for Cousins to exploit Arizona's weak pass defense, allowing over 250 passing yards per game, which is the eighth-highest in the league. Andy Dalton looked good early against Arizona but a pair of pick-sixes drained his momentum. Cousins will need to continue playing mistake-free football and has plenty of options to turn to in the passing attack outside of Jefferson, such as Adam Thielen, Irv Smith, and Cook.

Four points feel like a bit of a trap, as Minnesota has been involved in one-possession games during four of their five wins. Arizona's front seven on defense is filled with athletes and disruptors, so they could keep it close or force a turnover to swing momentum in their favor. Minnesota is undefeated at home and Arizona has not had any luck winning outright in Minneapolis.

The Vikings are well-rested and play good football at home, but they have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against NFC teams. Arizona is a good team and has momentum following a win with Hopkins back, so let's take the Cardinals to cover the spread as four-point underdogs. I doubt Arizona wins outright but they will make it a close matchup until the final whistle.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals Pick

• Arizona +4 -115. Bet $100 to collect $187. Click here to bet at BetMGM, who have the best odds