Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals Prediction 12-1-24 NFL Picks

In this article we will formulate a Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals prediction for this NFL game on Sunday, December 1st at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 13 matchup.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview

The Minnesota Vikings are 9-2 this season after they defeated Chicago in overtime by a score of 30-27 last week. Minnesota led 27-16 with 1:56 left in the game, but they allowed the Bears to force overtime, before sneaking away with the win. The Vikings out gained Chicago by a total of 452-398, tied the turnover battle at one, and went 6-13 on third down in the game. Sam Darnold threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns, while Aaron Jones rushed for 106 yards and one score. 

Prior to that win, the Vikings won three games in a row against Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis. The Minnesota offense has scored 24.9 points per game with 234 passing yards and 117.1 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 17.9 points against per game this season. Sam Darnold has completed 67.6% of his passes for 2,717 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while Justin Jefferson has caught 61 passes for 939 yards and five scores. 

Arizona Cardinals Betting Preview

The Arizona Cardinals are 6-5 this year after they lost to Seattle by a score of 16-6 in their last game. Arizona led 3-0 in the second quarter, but they allowed 16 of the last 19 points in the game for the loss. The Cardinals out gained Seattle by a total of 298-285, tied the turnover battle at one, and went 3-12 on third down in the game. Kyler Murray threw for 285 yards and one interception, while Trey McBride caught 12 passes for 133 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, the Cardinals won four games in a row against the Jets, Bears, Dolphins, and Chargers. The Arizona offense has scored 22.2 points per game with 201.7 passing yards and 140.3 rushing yards per game, while the defense has allowed 21.5 points against per game this season. Kyler Murray has completed 68.7% of his passes for 2,343 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions, while Trey McBride has caught 61 passes for 685 yards. 

Why the Cardinals will beat the Vikings

• The Vikings have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against NFC opponents.
• The road team has won each of the Cardinals’ last six Week 13 games.
• The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games in December.
• The road team has covered the spread in each of the Cardinals’ last six Week 13 games.
• The Vikings have lost the first quarter in each of their last three December home games against NFC West opponents.
• The Vikings have lost the first half in three of their last four games as moderate favorites (-3.5 to -7.0 points).
• The Cardinals have scored the first touchdown in each of their last five games following a loss.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Vikings’ last eight home games in December have gone OVER the total points line.
• Four of the Cardinals’ last five Sunday games as road underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
• Three of the last four Sunday games at U.S. Bank Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

• Aaron Jones has scored the last touchdown in each of his three previous Week 13 home appearances.
• Aaron Jones has recorded 79+ rushing and receiving yards in each of his last seven appearances with his team as a favorite against NFC West opponents.
• T.J. Hockenson has recorded 50+ receiving yards in each of his last eight appearances against NFC opponents.
• Cam Akers has recorded 42+ rushing yards in each of his seven previous December appearances.
• Aaron Jones has scored at least one touchdown in nine of his 10 previous December appearances with his team as a home favorite against NFC opponents.
• Sam Darnold has recorded 240+ passing yards in each of the Vikings’ last six games.
• Sam Darnold has thrown two or more touchdowns in five of the Vikings’ last six games against NFC opponents.
• Sam Darnold has recorded 20+ completions in each of the Vikings’ last five Sunday games.
• Heading into Week 13, Jonathan Greenard ranks T1st in the NFL in quarterback hurries (14) this season.

Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Facts

• James Conner has recorded 22+ receiving yards in each of his last four road appearances against NFC North opponents.
• James Conner has recorded 86+ rushing yards in each of the Cardinals’ last four games following a loss.
• James Conner has scored at least one touchdown in each of his last eight December appearances with his team as an underdog.
• Kyler Murray has recorded 230+ passing yards in five of the Cardinals’ last six December road games against NFC opponents.
• James Conner has recorded 89+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Cardinals’ last seven December games.
• Kyler Murray has recorded 22+ completions in nine of his last 10 regular season road appearances against NFC opponents.
• Kyler Murray has thrown three touchdowns in each of the Cardinals’ last two games against the Vikings.
• Jalen Thompson is just one away from 10 career interceptions.

Matchup/League Facts

• Heading into Week 13, the Vikings rank 1st in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (74.7) this season.
• Heading into Week 13, the Vikings rank 1st in the NFL in interceptions (16) this season.
• Heading into Week 13, the Cardinals rank 31st in the NFL in punt return yards per game (9.6) this season.
• Heading into Week 13, the Cardinals rank T2nd in the NFL in Q4 win percentage (63.6) this season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Arizona Cardinals Prediction 

Minnesota comes into this matchup on a four game winning streak, but they nearly blew a late lead against the Bears last week. The Vikings have one of the best records in the NFL and their defense is very good, but their offense has been inconsistent. Arizona just had their four game winning streak snapped against Seattle last time out, but they did out gain the Seahawks in the game. I know Murray didn’t play his best last week, but he has been great so far this season and I think this Arizona team has a chance to pick up the win. Give me the points with the Cardinals here.