Vikings vs. Cardinals Betting Guide: How to Play the Over/Under in Minnesota

Vikings vs. Cardinals Betting Guide: How to Play the Over/Under in Minnesota article feature image
Credit:

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings Betting Odds

  • Spread: Vikings -6
  • Over/Under: 43
  • Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET

The Vikings host the Cardinals in the lone early game on Saturday. Let's start with a look at key storylines and actionable betting takeaways for both teams.


Arizona Cardinals

No, the Kyler Murray era has not started with a bang.

Preseason Yards per Attempt First-Round Rookie QBs Since 2018

  • Daniel Jones: 12
  • Dwayne Haskins: 8.2
  • Baker Mayfield: 8.1
  • Lamar Jackson: 5.6
  • Sam Darnold: 5.4
  • Josh Rosen: 5.1
  • Josh Allen: 4.8
  • Murray: 3.7

The Cardinals' starting offense has performed terribly this preseason. Overall, Murray's five drives have resulted in four punts and a safety.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury has attempted to calm the masses by noting the Cardinals aren't exactly going out of their way to show off their offense during these glorified scrimmages, and Murray's ridiculous rushing ability has understandably been curtailed compared to what we'll likely see once the games matter.

Unfortunately for the peace of mind of Kingsbury and Murray, a trip to Minnesota is far from an ideal environment to get the offense on track.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have been a model of defensive consistency during the Mike Zimmer era, largely thanks to the continuity they've managed to keep at all three levels of the unit.

2019 projected Vikings defense and years with team:

DE Griffen (9)
DT Joseph (5)
DT Johnson (2)
DE Hunter (4)
LB Kendricks (4)
LB Barr (5)
LB Gedeon (2)
CB Rhodes (6)
CB Waynes (4)
CB Alexander (3)
SS Harris (4)
FS Smith (7)

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 23, 2019

Overall, both Zimmer and defensive coordinator George Edwards have been with the team since joining forces in 2014. The defense has finished as a top-10 unit in fewest PPR points allowed to quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends in at least four of the past five seasons.

The Vikings have been particularly dominant at home over this span, allowing just 18.3 points per game in Minnesota — the fourth-lowest mark in the league.

I like the Vikings to win, but six points is an awful lot in a game that still figures to feature backups for at least a quarter or so. I'm instead inclined to take the under here in hopes the Cardinals' struggles on offense continue.

PICK: UNDER 43

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