Before each game, our Vikings coverage team makes predictions graded on a 1-10 scale of difficulty. Leader at the end of the season covers the Christmas Eve game in Green Bay … and so does the loser.

Week 11: Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Noon, U.S. Bank Stadium

Week 11 Picks and Power Rankings

MARK CRAIG:

Congratulations, Vikings fans. This fella ain't going down swinging on a victory prediction five straight weeks. Cardinals 28, Vikings 17. Enjoy having that not happen, and you're welcome.

Degree of difficulty: 3

MATT VENSEL:

As Mr. Craig pointed out in his Saturday story, Cardinals do-it-all running back David Johnson has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in 13 of his first 14 career games. Even with middle linebacker Eric Kendricks likely back from a hip injury, Johnson will make it 14 out of 15. But the Vikings will still win (this is the semi-bold part).

Degree of difficulty: 4

ANDREW KRAMMER:

The Vikings defense puts forth an admirable effort, but the offensive line injuries continue to burden the Vikings as Chandler Jones reenacts last year's ending in Glendale, Ariz. with a strip-sack on Sam Bradford in the closing minutes.

Degree of difficulty: 5

X FACTOR: Will Cordarrelle Patterson play a big role?

CHIP SCOGGINS:

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. returns to his hometown and has a big performance to extend the Vikings losing streak to five games. The guess here is that Fitzgerald catches 10-12 passes and one touchdown.

Degree of difficulty: 5

ZIMMER: Fitzgerald headed to the Hall of the Fame

JIM SOUHAN:

The Vikings finally break their losing streak. This is a recording.

Arizona is not an easy matchup for a struggling Vikings team but crowd noise and raw desperation will lead to the defense taking charge of a game for the first time in more than a month. Vikings 19, Cardinals 18.Degree of difficulty: 4