3 Bold Predictions: Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings – Week 2
By Sion Fawkes
Edmonds will have a historic performance
The Cardinals running game was one of the best in the league in 2020, but in Week 1 of 2021, the passing game was responsible for pouring 38 points onto the Titans. And while the Vikings’ pass defense was weaker than the 217 yards they allowed through the air, the Cincinnati Bengals tore them apart on the ground in Week 1.
Expect the Cardinals to do the same in Week 2, with a historic performance from Chase Edmonds. As farfetched as historic performances sound, both Kyler Murray and Chandler Jones had arguably their finest career outings in Week 1. And for over a year now, Edmonds has teetered between being an above-average serviceable back, and a featured back.
Look for him to inch closer to featured status with his Week 2 performance, and he foreshadowed just how effective he can be on the ground in Week 1 when he collected 63 yards on 12 carries. A dual-threat back, Edmonds also picked up 43 yards on four receptions.
Bengals running back Joe Mixon racked up 127 yards on 29 carries against a Minnesota defense that allowed 149 total rushing yards. Edmonds, especially with James Conner behind him, routinely picks up big chunks of yardage. Add his receiving abilities to the mix, and he will have his best game since Week 7 of the 2019 season when he rushed for three touchdowns and 126 yards.