Vikings vs. Cardinals NFL Week 2 Picks and Predictions

Two teams here, who had very different starts to the season, will meet up in Week 2 of the NFL. The Vikings disappointed against the Bengals while the Cardinals went into Tennessee and dominated their game against the Titans, so who wins this one? Let's check out the NFL odds.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals

Sunday, September 19, 2021 - 04:05 PM EDT at State Farm Stadium

Can the Vikings bounce back?

The Vikings' defense was really poor last year and the first game didn’t do much to change that fact as they allowed the Bengals some big gains in the passing game and the benefit of being able to run Joe Mixon nearly 30 times at 4.0 yards a go.

That’s the negative side for their defense, but they did manage to get to Joe Burrow and sacked him five times.

That will be a lot more difficult this week while facing a true dual-threat QB in Kyler Murray who has incredible mobility. If they can get to Murray then they might have a slight chance, if not then it could be a comfortable win for the Cardinals.

https://youtu.be/29hSyw44OfU

Kirk Cousins threw for 351 yards and 2 TD's last weekend as the usual run-game spluttered, he had some big plays downfield to both Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson as he looked to get them back into the game.

As last year, Thielen was the man with the touchdowns but Jefferson showed the same spark as he did in his rookie season last year. The key to them winning this game will be establishing the run with Dalvin Cook who had one of the poorer games of his career against what many thought was a poor run defense.

Averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and fumbling one of them, it’s not like Cook to have multiple poor games in a row, so don’t be surprised if he bounces back this week.

Despite the Packers' performance in their loss, the Vikings remain as the second favorite in the NFC North according to the best bookmakers.

https://twitter.com/Vikings/status/1438295315971514372?s=20

More of the same from the Cardinals?

Last week was a great win on the road for the Cardinals, and one that I didn’t think would happen, but they were brilliant in all facets of the game. Kyler Murray scrambled but it usually resulted in someone getting open downfield and he found them as he ended 289 yards from 21 completions and 4 TD's as well as a rushing score as well.

The defense was excellent as well allowing just 58 yards to Derrick Henry and getting to Ryan Tannehill throughout the game. Well, I say their defense. It was Chandler Jones.

Titans QB Ryan Tannehill fumbles after a sack by Chandler Jones of the Cardinals on September 12, 2021. Silas Walker/Getty Images/AFP

Unsurprisingly named NFC defensive player of the week after finishing with FIVE sacks in the game, and earning an apology and respect from Taylor Lewan who was beaten constantly.

Christian Kirk was a name many didn’t expect to see much this year as they had him behind Hopkins, Green, and Moore, but the Cardinals use a lot of four WR sets and Murray will find the open man meaning that Kirk and Hopkins ended with two scores apiece.

Whether it’s Kirk or not this week I don’t know, but we do know Nuk Hopkins will be the main man for the offense.

Can the Vikings cover the spread?

I am a little surprised to see this as low as it is. After the performances of the teams last week I would have expected a bit of over-reaction and the Cardinals to be a little closer to a seven-point favorite on the spread line.

It should be another high-scoring game involving the Cardinals, but totals in their games are set very high and they only went over in five games last season.

Despite scoring 38 themselves last week ended with another Under on the total, so I would actually lean under, but I’ll avoid that. I think the Cardinals keep on rolling for my NFL pick here.

NFL Pick: (visit our Sportsbook Review)

*The pick reflects the line at the moment the writer made the play, the odds at the beginning of this article show the live line movement. Since the lines might vary, don’t forget to refer back to our live odds.