Cardinals at Vikings Depth Chart Preview
Oct 12, 2018 19:33:59 GMT -6
Reignman, Funkytown, and 1 more like this
Post by Danchat on Oct 12, 2018 19:33:59 GMT -6
The 2-2-1 Vikings have endured a difficult stretch of the schedule, but after defeating the Super Bowl victors on the road, they face the lowly 1-4 Cardinals at home. After the Bills debacle, no Viking fan will take this one for granted. How does Arizona's roster face up against the Vikings'?
Injury Report
* My Thoughts *
Josh Rosen was my 3rd favorite QB in the draft after Mayfield and Darnold, but it will be tough to evaluate him so early in his career with very little around him. He's got a strong arm and has plenty of accuracy, but durability is a concern and his pocket presence wasn't great in college - finally, a QB who won't scramble all over us! He's got a not-100% Larry Fitzgerald and a bunch of young 'uns to throw to. Christian Kirk, a 2nd round rookie, has looked very promising, but Chad Williams has done diddly-squat and Ricky Seals-Jones is still very raw.
The main concern for the Cards is their O-line, which is ranked worst in the NFL by PFF 5 weeks into the season. Humphries is a solid LT, and that's about it. Justin Pugh was given $10M a year to be a great guard, but he's been bad thus far. He was very good with the Giants, so they have to be concerned. Iupati was also a FA acquisition, but age and injury have rendered him mediocre. Mason Cole is a middling prospect who is not ready to be a starter yet. Andre Smith or John Wetzel, whomever starts, are among the NFL's worst tackles. HB David Johnson will have plenty of trouble running behind them, as the 2016 star hasn't been able to do anything behind them. Also, OC Mike McCoy has failed to scheme passing plays to Johnson, which was part of what made him great in 2016.
On defense, the Cards are a mixed bag. There are a bunch of great players, but many have been inconsistent. Arizona's D-line isn't that good without stud Chandler Jones, a superb pass rusher who can blow by tackles with ease. The LBs are inconsistent - Reddick was terrible in 2017 but is getting better, Bynes is up and down, and Bucannon is among the league's worst in both run stopping and coverage.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals will have Patrick Peterson cover up Diggs or Thielen. IMO he's underrated and a top 5 CB who can put guys on an island. However, outside of him they've thrown Jamar Taylor and Bene' Benwikere out there, which hasn't worked. However, HC Wilks has used sophomore stud Budda Baker at slot CB and SS to improve the pass defense. Tre Boston is playing for nearly the league minimum salary and is really good. Antoine Bethea is getting old, but his play is still really solid.
Fun fact - the Cardinals have made one field goal all year! Yup, that's right, one! Phil Dawson is 1/3, but 8/8 with extra points.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Cardinals 17
It's hard to pick the Vikings to win by a lot, but the Cardinals have been bad this season and I don't think the Vikings will fail against a bad team a second time. Arizona has some good players in the secondary, but with Cousins and the WRs, it hasn't seemed to matter. The Vikings defense isn't what it once was, but if they avoid stupid penalties and force a couple turnovers, they should be alright.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Cardinals
HB Chase Edmonds - Questionable
DE Markus Golden - Questionable
T D. J. Humphries - Questionable
Mike Iupati - Questionable
Robert Nkemdiche - Questionable
T Andre Smith - Questionable
Vikings
DE Tashawn Bower - Out
DE Everson Griffen - Out
S Andrew Sendejo - Out
T Riley Reiff - Out
HB Dalvin Cook - Questionable
HB Chase Edmonds - Questionable
DE Markus Golden - Questionable
T D. J. Humphries - Questionable
Mike Iupati - Questionable
Robert Nkemdiche - Questionable
T Andre Smith - Questionable
Vikings
DE Tashawn Bower - Out
DE Everson Griffen - Out
S Andrew Sendejo - Out
T Riley Reiff - Out
HB Dalvin Cook - Questionable
* My Thoughts *
Josh Rosen was my 3rd favorite QB in the draft after Mayfield and Darnold, but it will be tough to evaluate him so early in his career with very little around him. He's got a strong arm and has plenty of accuracy, but durability is a concern and his pocket presence wasn't great in college - finally, a QB who won't scramble all over us! He's got a not-100% Larry Fitzgerald and a bunch of young 'uns to throw to. Christian Kirk, a 2nd round rookie, has looked very promising, but Chad Williams has done diddly-squat and Ricky Seals-Jones is still very raw.
The main concern for the Cards is their O-line, which is ranked worst in the NFL by PFF 5 weeks into the season. Humphries is a solid LT, and that's about it. Justin Pugh was given $10M a year to be a great guard, but he's been bad thus far. He was very good with the Giants, so they have to be concerned. Iupati was also a FA acquisition, but age and injury have rendered him mediocre. Mason Cole is a middling prospect who is not ready to be a starter yet. Andre Smith or John Wetzel, whomever starts, are among the NFL's worst tackles. HB David Johnson will have plenty of trouble running behind them, as the 2016 star hasn't been able to do anything behind them. Also, OC Mike McCoy has failed to scheme passing plays to Johnson, which was part of what made him great in 2016.
On defense, the Cards are a mixed bag. There are a bunch of great players, but many have been inconsistent. Arizona's D-line isn't that good without stud Chandler Jones, a superb pass rusher who can blow by tackles with ease. The LBs are inconsistent - Reddick was terrible in 2017 but is getting better, Bynes is up and down, and Bucannon is among the league's worst in both run stopping and coverage.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals will have Patrick Peterson cover up Diggs or Thielen. IMO he's underrated and a top 5 CB who can put guys on an island. However, outside of him they've thrown Jamar Taylor and Bene' Benwikere out there, which hasn't worked. However, HC Wilks has used sophomore stud Budda Baker at slot CB and SS to improve the pass defense. Tre Boston is playing for nearly the league minimum salary and is really good. Antoine Bethea is getting old, but his play is still really solid.
Fun fact - the Cardinals have made one field goal all year! Yup, that's right, one! Phil Dawson is 1/3, but 8/8 with extra points.
Prediction: Vikings 27, Cardinals 17
It's hard to pick the Vikings to win by a lot, but the Cardinals have been bad this season and I don't think the Vikings will fail against a bad team a second time. Arizona has some good players in the secondary, but with Cousins and the WRs, it hasn't seemed to matter. The Vikings defense isn't what it once was, but if they avoid stupid penalties and force a couple turnovers, they should be alright.
Any thoughts?