3 favorable matchups for the Cardinals in Week 2 vs. the Vikings

Arizona’s run defense

As opposed to the Vikings run defense, which ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed in Week 1, the Cardinals ranked 13th, having given up 86 rushing yards on 22 attempts. And they did this against a running back who had rushed for 2,000-plus yards in back-to-back seasons.

The Cardinals face another talented running back in Dalvin Cook. Cook may even be more of a threat than Henry, given his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. And while the Vikings boasted a strong passing game in Week 1 against the Bengals, the Cardinals can force them into a one-dimensional approach if they keep Cook bottled up.

And it’s a favorable matchup that they do, given the way they handled Henry in Week 1. The Cardinals have enough fresh bodies on the defensive line to get a push. And their dynamic trio of linebackers with Zaven Collins, Isaiah Simmons, and Jordan Hicks also keeps things fresh in the unit.

Kirk Cousins is also the type of quarterback that can become mistake-prone when forced into a one-dimensional approach. And by stopping Cook, things will once again play into the Cardinals defense’s hands.