Minnesota will try to shed its choker label at home against a team with its own choking problems in 2011.

The Vikes opened as small favorites against Arizona, which is 1-3 and heading for its bye week needing a win. But the Cardinals have lost 8 of 10 trips to the Metrodome, a tough trend to snap against a winless team that has blown leads in all four games so far.

Arizona has been close, but no cigar in its three losses and has been a reliable OVER bet in October (15-3-1 past 19 games).



View Arizona vs Minnesota Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
Bettors looking to side with the Vikings in this one will find them as 3-point favorites , while the total sits at 43.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The game pits the Vikings, currently No. 21 in our OddsShark NFL Power Rankings, against the Cardinals, who rate No. 24 in the latest survey. Meanwhile, math and handicapping models run on this game predict a 21-17 victory for the Cardinals.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Minnesota's No. 24-ranked offense, averaging 19.2 PPG, against a Cardinals defense that ranks No. 12 this week at 21.8 PPG. The Vikings aerial game is averaging 154.8 yards per game, less than the Cardinals secondary allows through the air, 282.8 YPG per game.

Defensively, the Cardinals feature the league's No. 27-rated road run defense, allowing 147 yards per game. Minnesota, meanwhile, ranks No. 3 in rushing offense at home.

Arizona was a 31-27 loser in its last match at home against the Giants. They failed to cover the 1–point spread as underdogs, while the total score of 58 sent OVER bettors to the payout window. Beanie Wells rushed for 3 TDs but Arizona still lost 31-27 versus New York in their last outing on Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium.

Minnesota lost its last outing, a 22-17 result against the Chiefs on October 2. The Vikings failed to cover in that game as a 3-point favorite, while the 39 combined points took the game UNDER the total. The Vikings's last action saw them get a 2-TD performance from Donovan McNabb, but they were handed a 22-17 loss by Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium.


Arizona Cardinals Trends:
When playing in October are 5-5
When playing on turf are 5-5
After outgaining opponent are 2-8
When playing outside the division are 4-6

Minnesota Vikings Trends:
When playing in October are 4-6
When playing on turf are 3-7
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the division are 5-5

A few Cardinals at Vikings trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Arizona's last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arizona's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
Arizona is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona
Minnesota is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Arizona
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games at home


Next up:
Arizona home to Pittsburgh, Sunday, October 23
Minnesota at Chicago, Sunday, October 16