IT’S GAME TIME – Week 13 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings at The Arizona Cardinals

The Minnesota Vikings will be heading to the desert to face the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals this Sunday Night!

It’s already week 13.  Wow.  The Vikings are 10-1, which I will have to truthfully say I didn’t expect at this point.  The next couple games could be tough, though, as the Vikings play the Cardinals Sunday followed by the Bengals next week.

Shiancoe and Winfield out?

Last week it was Peterson and Winfield listed as questionable.  This week Shiancoe takes AD’s place on the injury list.  Shiancoe took a couple big hits in the endzone last week, which is what caused the issues, I would guess.  Shiancoe has become a HUGE part of Minnesota’s offense, especially in the redzone, so hopefully he’ll be able to play Sunday.

As for Winfield, I don’t know what to guess.  He made a statement saying that it would be a game-time decision whether or not he’s on the field Sunday.   He’s been practicing this week.  I’m hesitant to guess, though, because I really thought he’d be back for the Lions game, and that was 3 games ago!

Will Adrian Peterson spend time on the bench?

There are fans around the internet that think that Peterson should sit on the bench for a little while every time he fumbles the ball, but that’s not what I’m talking about.

I’m talking about the 109 MPH in a 55 MPH zone speeding ticket that he received.

I think he needs to sit at least a quarter, maybe a half.  I hate to say it, because I want him to be able to challenge Chris Johnson for the rushing title, but I also know that the Vikings have prided themselves on proper conduct, and going 54 MPH over the speed limit is not proper.  In fact, it’s stupid and irresponsible.

…and aside from him causing danger for other people, what about himself.  What a waste it would be for such a talented person like Adrian Peterson to end his career (or worse) because he wrapped a BMW around a tree.

I was not amused.

Will Kurt Warner play for the Cardinals?

A couple weeks ago Warner went down with a concussion.  Last week Matt Leinart started in his place.  Reports say that Warner has been practicing this week, but he’s also been sharing snaps with Leinart.  Coach Childress said that he thinks that Warner will play.

Stylistically, both of them are pocket passers, so I don’t think it matters to the Vikings defensive gameplan a whole lot.  As a fan, I want a win… especially late in the year.  It’d be nice to have an easier game by facing Leinart, but my guess is that Warner will end up on the field.

-Attack through the air

The Cardinals have struggled with pass defense.  The Vikings have been improving their pass game.  Both need to continue on Sunday.  Just a note… last time Favre played the Cardinals, he put up 6 TD passes.

-Play smart pass defense

Last year I heard an unbelievable stat… Warner had a better rating and completion percentage on plays that he got blitzed than he did on plays with just the d-line rushing.  I don’t know if that stat stands this year, but the fact is, Warner handles the blitz as well as anybody in the NFL.  That means that our defensive backfield has to be strong in coverage, because unlike some of the QBs we’ve played recently, it’s hard to rattle Kurt Warner.

My Prediction

I think Warner will play, and I think it’ll be somewhat of a shootout, but I think the Vikings continue rolling.  Vikings win 42-35

Related posts:

1. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 14 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Cincinnati Bengals
2. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 12 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs the Chicago Bears
3. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 11 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Seattle Seahawks
4. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 10 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings vs The Detroit Lions
5. IT’S GAME TIME – Week 15 Preview: The Minnesota Vikings at The Carolina Panthers