The Minnesota Vikings will look to rebound from a 38-7 loss at home to the Seahawks in Week 13 when they travel to Phoenix to face the 10-2 Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football in Week 14. The 8-4 Vikings have dropped two of their last three games, and they're in a tight race with the 8-4 Green Bay Packers for the NFC North.
The 10-2 Cardinals are on top of the NFC West, and they'll look to preserve or extend their current three-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday. The Cardinals are coming off a dominant Week 14 win over the struggling St. Louis Rams despite missing Andre Ellington due to injury, as well as Chris Johnson, who was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return last week.
Minnesota is dealing with injuries to several key defensive players, and coming off a short week makes it less likely Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton will be at full strength against the Cardinals. Arizona's run defense, ranked fourth in the NFL for yards allowed per game, will have to contend with a well-rested Adrian Peterson. Peterson carried the ball just eight times for a total of 18 yards against the Seahawks and wasn't very happy about his lack of touches.
The Cardinals may have to again look to rookie David Johnson at running back if the short week does not allow Ellington to get fully healthy. Arizona may also be missing cornerback Jerraud Powers, who left Sunday's game with a knee injury. Carson Palmer and the Cardinals' offense, currently first in the league with an average of 419.5 offensive yards per game, have an opportunity against a Vikings team that allowed 433 yards of total offense to the Seahawks.
How to Watch
When: 8:25 p.m. ET
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: NFL Network
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Online: NFL GamePass