Know thy enemy: Arizona Cardinals face Minnesota Vikings

RZ: What’s the overall feeling on Mike Zimmer? He made some interesting comments after cutting his kicker a few weeks ago. He wasn’t wrong, but are most fans on his side and agree with his coaching decisions?

TVA: Zimmer is a coach who isn’t afraid to make tough decisions. If a player isn’t performing, he will pull them or cut them without hesitation if he feels it is the right move for the franchise.

Right now, Zimmer is still at a point where he likely couldn’t do much wrong. Sure, fans may disagree with his decision to release players like Brian Robison or Alex Boone back in the day, but the success Minnesota has had since his arrival as the head coach helps to eliminate all the doubt.

However, when or if the team starts losing more consistently, those questions and concerns might get much, much louder.

RZ:  Can you give us one player on each side of the ball Cardinals fans should know more about?

TVA: On offense, most NFL fans are already familiar with Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kirk Cousins, Kyle Rudolph, and Dalvin Cook. Many know about Latavius Murray. However, few know about tight end David Morgan, who is an excellent blocker as well as a sneaky good pass catcher.

Defensively, Stephen Weatherly has emerged as a huge asset at defensive end while Everson Griffen is getting himself together. He is doing a great job of winning matchups against right tackles this season and disrupting the quarterback, even getting hits and sacks this year.

RZ: Prediction time, who wins and why?

TVA:  would be shocked if the Minnesota Vikings lost to Arizona on Sunday. Right now, they are the better all-around team and have home-field advantage, meaning it would take something pretty crazy for them to fall apart like they did against the Buffalo Bills.

The defense should be able to take advantage of a rookie quarterback while the offense continues to pick apart and exploit matchups in the passing game.

I think this will be a double-digit Vikings win, with Minnesota ending up victorious by 10 points.

RZ Prediction:

It all boils down to preparation.  Did the Cardinals prepare properly for the Vikings?  Have they made adjustments from their first victory last week over the San Francisco 49ers?

My guess is no.  I don’t doubt they tried to prepare.  The effort on the players part has not been in question.

The issue is this coaching staff has not made the proper adjustments from game to game.  Last week if not for the turnovers created by the defense, a depleted 49ers team would have demolished this Cardinals team.

Don’t expect any miracles in Minneapolis on Sunday.  I told Adam over at The Viking Ages I expected a 49-7 score.  I wish I believed I was exaggerating.

Despite what happened against Buffalo, that magic won’t strike twice.  Maybe it doesn’t end up being quite the blowout I am predicting but it surely won’t be a close game.  This is why they play the games though.