Desert Duel

By: Mike Rifkin

On Sunday the Arizona Cardinals will have their home opener as they prepare to face the Minnesota Vikings. The Cardinals are coming off one of the most impressive week 1 victories in the NFL as they defeated the Titans 38-13. Quarterback Kyler Murray had 289 yards passing and four touchdowns, while adding 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Receivers Deandre Hopkins and Christain Kirk each had 2 touchdowns receiving. Defensively Chandler Jones returned to the lineup with authority after missing most of 2020 with a Biceps injury, the star pass rusher had five sacks of Ryan Tannehill. One of the major issues the Vikings have had over the years is protecting quarterback Kirk Cousins, so watch for Jones, JJ Watt and Zaven Collins, this year’s first round pick to have an impact on this game. But the defense as a whole had a great day containing running back Derrick Henry to 58 yards and receivers AJ Brown and Julio Jones to a combined 78 yards and a touchdown on 7 catches. Defense also forced three turnovers. 

Minnesota is coming off an overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals 27-24. In that game quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 351 yards and two touchdowns, but was sacked three times. For the second straight week the Cardinals defense will be tasked with stopping an elite group of skilled position players. Running back Dalvin Cook who had a big fumble last week also had 61 yards and a touchdown. In 2020 Cook ran for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns. Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson are one of the best receiving duos in the league last week Thielen had 92 yards and two touchdowns, Jefferson had 71 yards. In his rookie season Jefferson had 1,400 yards and seven touchdowns. We will have to see if Vance Joseph’s defense can stop an elite offense. This game will also feature the return of Patrick Peterson to Arizona. The Cardinals drafted Peterson fifth overall in 2011 and he did not disappoint in his 9 seasons in Arizona racking up 499 tackles, 28 interceptions and four punt return touchdowns. 

I know it’s week two but this is a big game for the Cardinals for a few reasons. The Cardinals have the opportunity to put the Vikings at 0-2 and in case they both are chasing a wild card spot gives the Cardinals a head to head advantage. Another reason is to keep the momentum going from the Titans game, last season the Cardinals started 2-0 but lost a home game to Detroit. This will be the first time the Cardinals and Vikings have played each other since 2018 a 27-17 Minnesota victory. Will the Cards fly high in their home opener or will the Vikings spoil it.