Vikings vs. Cardinals | Key Personnel Battles

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.

After almost a month, the Minnesota Vikings return to home turf. In Week 13, the Vikings will face the Cardinals, two teams with playoff aspirations.

Vikings vs. Cardinals | Key Personnel Battles

It would take something disastrous for the Vikings not to secure at least a wild-card spot in the playoffs. They need to keep the wins coming to keep pace with Detroit and hope the 11-1 Lions eventually slip up and give them a chance at claiming the division.

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For the Cardinals, in an NFC West division that sees all four teams separated by just one win, every game counts. Here are some key personnel battles that will help determine how this game ends.

Vikings OL vs. Cardinals DL

The Cardinals DL has been a weak point for Arizona this season. The unit is ranked 28th (out of 32) by Pro Football Focus, which gives it a combined grade of 55.7. This is a game where the Vikings OL needs to dominate the line of scrimmage, not only to give Sam Darnold time in the pocket as a passer but also to help Aaron Jones and Cam Akers establish the ground game.

Zaven Collins is the Cardinals’ best player on the DL and is particularly impressive in run defense – 87.3 run defense grade per PFF. Dante Stills leads the Cardinals in sacks this season with just 4.5, which I’d half the total of both Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, who both have 9 for the Vikings. Cam Robinson has been on the injury report with a foot injury this week, and despite the questionable tag, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell seemed optimistic the Vikings left tackle would be good to go.

Jordan Addison vs. Starling Thomas V

In what was becoming a slightly frustrating season for Jordan Addison, the Vikings WR had a breakout game in Chicago. His 8 catches from 9 targets for 162 yards and a touchdown were a career day. The Cardinals have a secondary that likes to get physical, which is something the Vikings have struggled with. Addison will likely come up against Starling Thomas V on Sunday.

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Thomas went undrafted in 2023 and wound up on the Detroit Lions practice squad, where he was waived before the season started. The Cardinals picked him up, and he’s been on the active roster ever since. After cementing his place as a starter at the end of last season, he has continued in the starting lineup this year. Going from undrafted to a starter is impressive, but unsurprisingly, Thomas has struggled, allowing a passer rating of 94.5 and 12.5 yards per reception. Look for the Vikings to test him early with a deep ball.

Stephon Gilmore vs. Marvin Harrison Jr.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was considered a can’t-miss prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. Through 11 games, he has 36 receptions for 546 yards and six touchdowns. These are not bad numbers, but there is a feeling of disappointment around the rookie’s season. People were expecting him to explode onto the scene in explosive fashion, and outside a couple of 100-yard games, Harrison has been steadily productive rather than explosive.

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The Vikings hope that trend continues this week, and it will primarily be Stephon Gilmore’s responsibility to make that happen. The veteran defender is not the force on the boundary he once was, but he has done well for the Vikings this season. Minnesota will play zone coverage, and others like Byron Murphy and Shaq Griffin will also have to play their part.