For the final week of the NFL preseason, the Arizona Cardinals travel east to face the Minnesota Vikings. Neither team has had a preseason to remember so far on the offensive side of the football. Both the Cardinals and Vikings are two of six teams that have scored fewer than 15 points per game through two weeks of preseason action.
Cardinals vs Vikings Odds
NFL odds used for this Arizona vs Minnesota preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of August 23rd at 1pm ET.
- Moneyline: Vikings (-125) • Cardinals (+105)
- Spread: Vikings -1 (-110) • Cardinals +1 (-110)
- Total Points: Over 36 (-110) • Under 36 (-110)
- Implied Score: Vikings 19, Cardinals 18
Cardinals vs Vikings Predictions
Score Pick: Vikings 23, Cardinals 20
While both of these teams haven’t been that productive offensively, the Cardinals have been a bit more vulnerable defensively. The Vikings and Cardinals have both allowed at least five and a half yards per rush through two preseason games and Minnesota has a stronger offensive line coming into this game.
Arizona has given up nearly 300 receiving yards per game, surrendering the most receiving yards per game during the preseason. The Cardinals are also one of just four teams to surrender four or more touchdown receptions.
Arizona did face challenges from Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson to some extent during the preseason. However, during last week’s game against Arizona, the other Kansas City quarterbacks had success throwing the ball.
Cardinals vs Vikings Best Bets & Props
Vikings (-125)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
With a strong defense, the Vikings garnered a little more success than Arizona’s defense this preseason. Making the moneyline for Minnesota the wise play even with a little extra juice. With the improved protection afforded to Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens, it will allow Minnesota more time in the pocket to generate more passing yards. Moreover, Arizona’s defense ranks in the bottom five in terms of total tackles.
Vikings win by 1-13 (+160)
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
Given that the Vikings are favored by only one point, it’s hard to beat the odds that FanDuel is providing. It will be more favorable to take that wager, rather than betting against the spread, especially considering the lack of productivity of both teams through two games this preseason. Neither team has scored more than 17 points in a game and seeing how weak the Cardinals defense has been at stopping the pass versus multiple quarterbacks, it favors the Vikings offense.
Over 36 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
For the NFL bet of the day, both defenses have allowed a ton of scoring this preseason and the Cardinals and Vikings offenses will have an easier time putting up points. The total in both of Minnesota’s matchups have gone over 36 points and Arizona’s previous matchup against the Chiefs did as well.
Both defenses have been weak against the run. The Vikings have allowed the most rushing yards per game of any team this preseason and the Cardinals have allowed the highest percentages of rushing first downs.
Cardinals vs Vikings Same Game Parlay
Cardinals vs Vikings SGP
FanDuel Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 unit
- Over 36 (-110)
- Vikings win by 1-13 Pts (+160)
The Vikings offense has underperformed this preseason and the Cardinals defense has been all-around weaker than the Vikings, giving Minnesota the edge going into this game on the offensive side of the ball. The Vikings haven’t been efficient on defense either as they’ve surrendered 24 points in back-to-back games. The Cardinals will take advantage of the Vikings weakness at defending against the run and both teams have higher scoring ceilings due to the defensive issues going into this contest.
