It's been quite an interesting start to the 2011-12 NFL season thus far, with many teams struggling to get out of gates with a bang and a variety of talented teams sporting very bad records already. That brings us to the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, two teams with a multitude of talent but only one win between them to show for it. Arizona will look to get back into the NFC West race this Sunday, while Minnesota will be doing whatever possible not to go 0-5 to start the year.
This will be the fourth consecutive year these teams square off in the regular season, and second straight at the Metrodome, a place where Arizona has had little success. They haven't won a game there since 1977, so to say they're due would be an understatement. The Cards have been close all year, and are out to stop a three-game losing streak, all by a total of eight points. Arizona either had the lead or possession with a chance to win in the fourth quarter of all three games, and are in dire need of closing one out.
The Vikings fall from grace continued with a 22-17 loss in Kansas City last week, moving their record to 0-4 on the year. The Vikings held the Chiefs to five FGs and just one TD, keeping the Chiefs out of the end zone on three red zone possessions, but still managed to take the L. Donovan McNabb hasn't exactly wowed people so far this year, and Adrian Peterson can't carry a whole team, leaving the Vikes to lean on their defense to keep them in the game so far.
One player the Vikings will likely have their hands full with this week is Beanie Wells, after earning career-highs with 27 rushing attempts for 138 yards and three touchdowns after missing the Seattle game last week with a hamstring injury. The Vikings haven't allowed an 100 yard rusher this season to date, perhaps Beanie will be the one to break that streak this weekend.
Minnesota leads the all-time series 11-10 against Arizona, can the Cards finally get that elusive victory in the land of 10,000 lakes?
Kickoff from Mall of America Field is set for 10:00 AM MT Sunday with coverage on the FOX Network.
For more on the Cardinals, head over to Revenge of the Birds.