The Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals are starting off the NFL schedule for Week 14 on Thursday night and the game TV coverage is on the NFL Network starting at 8:25 pm ET. The game is from University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale and has both teams looking to keep playoff position in the NFC standings.
The Vikings are coming into the game after a tough loss to the Seahawks and they will try and rebound against one of the best teams in the league. The Cardinals are 10-2 this season and have won six straight games and they are currently leading the NFC West division. The Cardinals come in after a dominating win over the Rams and coming up the team has games against the Eagles, Packers and Seahawks.
The Vikings will need to rebound after a big defeat against the Seahawks and after that game Adrian Peterson had some pointed comments about the coaching in the game. Mike Zimmer said he had no issues with what Peterson said and that he was not worried about it moving forward. Peterson was frustrated after the game, as he had just 18 yards against the Seahawks and felt that he did not get enough touches in the game.
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The Arizona offense has been one of the most productive in the league this season and the team will be coming into the game without Andre Ellington and Chris Johnson. Johnson has been out with a broken leg, while Ellington is dealing with a toe issue and that will put David Johnson in the starting lineup again. Johnson had a strong game last week against the Rams and head coach Bruce Arians said that the team is planning to try and get Johnson about 25 touches in the game.
Adrian Peterson has been one of the best backs in the league and after his low output against the Seahawks, the Vikings likely will try and get him the ball early and often. Peterson comes in with 1182 yards this season and eight touchdowns, which is as many TDs that Teddy Bridgewater has thrown for this season. Stefon Diggs leads the Vikings with 42 catches for 626 yards, while Larry Fitzgerald has 91 catches for 1047 yards this season and seven touchdowns.
The Vikings finish the season with the Cardinals, Bears, Giants and Packers on the schedule and they are fighting for playoff position over the final weeks. The Vikings are going to have a tough task on Thursday, as they are going to have to play without Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr and Linval Joseph for the game. The defense had a tough performance last week and now they will have to find a way to get it done without some of their best players.
