3 Bold Predictions: Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings – Week 2
By Sion Fawkes
Arizona’s run defense excels again
No one saw the Cardinals boxing up Derrick Henry the way they did in Week 1. However, Henry is historically inconsistent over the first half of the season before he puts on a few unforgettable performances down the wire. He’s one of those backs that gets better as the season progresses.
Dalvin Cook may be the most complete back in football. He can catch as well as he can run. And when healthy, he’s the focal point of the Vikings offense. But Cook struggled against a Bengals defense that was among the worst in football in 2020.
The Cardinals have run stuffers all over the place, starting with J.J. Watt on the defensive line. Isaiah Simmons, however, led the charge with nine combined tackles while Budda Baker, Jordan Hicks, and Zaven Collins also contributed to the mix.
Against one of the league’s best backs, the Cardinals got a magnificent push up front. In Week 2, they face another one of the league’s best. But with their defense swarming around ball carriers early, they will continue to build their reputation as a run-stopping unit.