Minnesota Vikings vs. Arizona Cardinals Week 8 Final Thoughts

EAGAN, Minn. — Through seven weeks of the 2022 NFL season, handiest 3 groups are unbeaten at domestic: the Philadelphia Eagles, the Buffalo Bills, and the Minnesota Vikings.

All 3 of Minnesota`s victories at domestic this season have come in opposition to NFC North opponents, with the Vikings averaging 26.7 factors in line with sport at domestic, which ranks 5th withinside the NFL.

Minnesota has totaled 1,197 yards offensively at domestic this 12 months. The Vikings have typically achieved it via the air, with quarterback Kirk Cousins passing for 833 of his 1,502 yards at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Cousins has a quarterback score of 101.2 via 3 domestic video games this season, as compared to a blended 76.2 on the street thank you in huge element to Minnesota’s Week 2 loss at Philadelphia. He additionally has six overall touchdowns at domestic and simply one interception.

Minnesota Head Coach Kevin O’Connell stated the constant electricity of the gang at U.S. Bank Stadium has performed a essential position withinside the Vikings achievement at domestic up to now this season.

“The component that simply jumps out at me usually is simply the electricity, and that electricity and the texture of the gang from the time we pop out for warmups to the time we get to move in after what has been a absolutely a hit begin of our domestic slate, I assume our group feeds off it,” O’Connell stated. “I realize the men which have performed right here for a long term try and set the tone with our more youthful gamers of simply include it and the way unique of an possibility it’s far to play in the front of our first rate enthusiasts and in that form of environment.”

Defensively, Minnesota has allowed a median of 17.7 factors in line with contest at domestic, that’s tied for 9th withinside the NFL.

“We realize it is difficult for the [opposing] offense, obviously, and that is been a actual facet for us, however we have got were given to be first rate and try and mimic that noise that our enthusiasts do offer for our protection and ensure all of the checks, all of the matters as a part of our gadget to ensure we are in a optimum appearance defensively for all of the matters we are going to see that require a few elite communique in which you are now no longer usually capable of listen every different out there,” O’Connell introduced. “We’re continuously seeking to rep that component and ensure our men are geared up to move, however I could never, ever need to now no longer have that attempt from our enthusiasts. It’s unique, and optimistically we are able to preserve giving them motives to offer that atmosphere.”

The Vikings (five-1) will host the Arizona Cardinals (three-four) at noon (CT) Sunday. Minnesota is 11-four at domestic withinside the series, with wins in 10 consecutive matchups going returned to Oct. 13, 1991.

O’Connell confronted the Cardinals 3 instances final season because the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams. He stated he will take what he can from the ones preceding meetings, however introduced he is aware of it will be a totally special group than a 12 months ago.

“I assume what I even have is simply an stock of understanding how proper they may be once they positioned all of it collectively like they did in opposition to the Saints and flip the ball over, absolutely play complementary with each aspects and unique groups. I deal with every sport as its own,” O’Connell stated. “I try and take some thing we are able to during the last couple of years, however groups extrade so much. Schemes extrade. We’re special than in the long run what we have been in L.A. in a variety of ways, our personnel, our scheme has type of advanced as we have got moved alongside right here, however I definitely, beginning with [Arizona Head Coach] Kliff [Kingsbury] and understanding that first rate roster they have prepare there.”

Can the Vikings protection forestall D-Hop? | By Sam Thiel

The Vikings have confronted 3 receivers ranked withinside the pinnacle 10 for yards: Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown and Miami’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

On Sunday in opposition to the Cardinals, Minnesota might be tasked with seeking to forestall every other number one receiving chance — DeAndre Hopkins.

Hopkins made his season debut final week for Arizona in opposition to New Orleans after serving a six-sport suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-improving drug policy.

The Cardinals huge receiver speedy made his presence felt, hauling in 10 catches for 103 yards in Arizona’s 42-34 victory.

Since he become drafted through Houston in 2013, Hopkins has recorded 799 receptions for 10,684 yards. Both marks rank withinside the pinnacle withinside the NFL in that span.

Despite Hopkins handiest gambling one sport this season, the Vikings realize seeking to comprise him might be a challenge.

“I mean, every time you’ve got got an possibility to insert an All-Pro receiver like DeAndre returned into the offense, [it] makes them that rather more dynamic,” Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson stated. “We apprehend that. That is one of [Arizona quarterback] Kyler’s [Murray] preferred targets, and it indicates whilst he is withinside the lineup – the ones men have a great possibility of winning. But we realize we’ve our fingers complete. They have pace everywhere in the field, a dynamic quarterback that could make bigger performs and may have the ones electrifying performs. So we have got were given a complete plate right here come Sunday for sure.”

O’Connell stated Hopkins’ competencies paintings properly with the dual-chance abilties of Murray.

Since the 2021 season, Murray is 9-2 with Hopkins withinside the lineup vs. three-7 without. He additionally has a higher crowning glory percentage (71.three vs. 64.9), greater passing yards in line with sport (271.five vs. 246.8), and a better passer score (105.6 vs. 84.9).

“[Hopkins has] were given a quite particular talent set to get open and separate, however even if you are capable of cowl him up both with assist over the pinnacle or live related with him in man-to-man, he is nonetheless open due to his trap radius and his capacity to make performs at the football,” O’Connell stated. “I assume he enhances Kyler absolutely properly due to the fact he can win in rhythm after which the ones contested possibility throws can now and again come on the ones downs in which Kyler receives out of the pocket and is so difficult to deal with, together along with his athleticism and accuracy, each withinside the pocket and out of the pocket.”

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