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