The Minnesota Vikings are going into University of Phoenix Stadium to face the defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals in a game that could be a playoff preview. The Vikings are arguably the best team in the NFC this year and look to continue their winning ways in Arizona Sunday night.

Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner will be a game time decision but will really need to play in this one. Backup quarterback Matt Leinhart would not fair well in this game against a havoc wreaking defense like the Vikings.

The Vikings trio of quarterback Brett Favre, running back Adrian Peterson and wide receiver Sidney Rice should all fair well against a Cardinals defense that’s ranked 24th overall in the NFL. Wide receivers Bernard Berrian, Percy Harvin and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe should also join in the fun.

Vikings star defensive end Jared Allen will have to play very well against an offense that has arguably the best tandem of wide receivers in the NFL, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The emergence of Cardinals rookie running back Chris “Beanie” Wells should help Arizona in this game, but it won’t be enough.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 28, Arizona Cardinals 21

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Injuries:

Questionable
Anthony Herrera, G
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE
Chester Taylor, RB
Antoine Winfield, CB

Beginning of the 1st half

8:30 EST- Cardinals begin with the ball.

8:32 EST- Tim Hightower fumbles the ball after a strip by Benny Sapp. Vikings recover.

8:34 EST- Percy Harvin with a 10 yard catch for a first down.

8:35 EST- Sidney Rice with a 10 yard catch for another first down.

8:37 EST- Bernard Berrian with a 5 yard catch to put the Vikings in the red zone.

8:45 EST- After the review Visanthe Shiancoe scores on a 3 yard TD.

Vikings 7, Cardinals 0

8:49 EST- Beanie Wells runs up the middle for 11 yards and a first down.

8:52 EST- Cardinals forced to punt.

8:57 EST- Vikings go three and out.

8:58 EST- Steve Breaston returns the punt 64 yards, down to the 2 yard line.

8:59 EST- Anquan Boldin scores on a 2 yard TD pass.

Vikings 7, Cardinals 7

9:04 EST- Vikings go three and out.

9:16 EST- Larry Fitzgerald fights for 16 yards and a first down.

9:22 EST- Cardinals forced to punt.

9:27 EST- Vikings forced to punt after a three and out.

9:30 EST- Anquan Boldin catches a 39 yard TD pass from Warner.

Cardinals 14, Vikings 7

9:35 EST- Adrian Peterson catches and runs for 21 yards.

9:37 EST- Peterson gets another first down for the Vikings and into the red zone.

9:43 EST Vikings attempt a field goal and its good.

Cardinals 14, Vikings 10

9:50 EST- Larry Fitzgerald scores on a 34 yard TD pass.

Cardinals 21, Vikings 10

Halftime Statistics

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Receiving REC YDS TD LG
A. Peterson 3 30 0 21
P. Harvin 3 19 0 11
S. Rice 2 17 0 11
B. Berrian 2 13 0 8
C. Taylor 2 10 0 11
V. Shiancoe 1 3 1 3

Start of the 2nd Half

10:14 EST- Vikings get the ball to being the 2nd half.

10:16 EST- Percy Harvin with a 16 yard catch for a first down.

10:18 EST- Brett Favre throws an INT to Karlos Dansby

10:26 EST- Early Doucet catches an 8 yard pass to put the Cardinals in the red zone.

10:27 EST- Cardinals attempt a field goal, the kick is good.

Cardinals 24, Vikings 10

10:32 EST- Percy Harvin catches the ball for 12 yards and a first down.

10:36 EST- Favre throws an INT to Michael Adams.

10:37 EST- Warner pass short left to Fitzgerald for 15 yards.

10:40 EST- Cardinals attempt a field goal.

Cardinals 27, Vikings 10

10:53 EST- Vikings forced to punt.

10:57 EST- Cardinals three and out, forced to punt.

11:00 EST- B.Favre pass short middle to V.Shiancoe for 11 yards and a first down.

11:03 EST- Vikings forced to punt.

11:06 EST- K.Warner pass short left to L.Fitzgerald for 18 yards.

11:10 EST- K.Warner pass deep right to L.Fitzgerald for 21 yards.

11:12 EST- T.Hightower runs for 32 yards and sets up a first and goal for the Cardinals.

11:22 EST- Cardinals kicks the field goal.

Cardinals 30, Vikings 10

11:29 EST- B.Favre pass short right to S.Rice for 14 yards.

11:32 EST- B.Favre pass to P.Harvin for a 31 yard TD.

Cardinals 30, Vikings 17

FINAL STATISTICS

Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
B. Favre 30/45 275 2 2

Receiving REC YDS TD LG
P. Harvin 6 79 1 31
S. Rice 7 72 0 14
A. Peterson 6 46 0 21
B. Berrian 5 36 0 13
C. Taylor 4 28 0 14
V. Shiancoe 2 14 1 11

It’s funny how the tables have turned.  This time last season the Arizona Cardinals were the surprisingly hot team in the NFC.  This season it’s the Minnesota Vikings, who made the playoffs last season, but this year appear to be unstoppable and are setting up to do something special in 2009.

Brett Favre will of course set a new record of consecutive games played for non-kickers and continue to shatter records as he keeps the Vikings rolling over teams.  Since it’s officially December football where a solid running game is a must the Vikings are stacked in their backfield with tandem Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.  This team will have another one and done playoff run (I think that was a rhyme...LOL) A win today clinches the NFC North for the Vikings provided the Green Bay Packers lose to the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night.

On the other side are the Arizona Cardinals who are a season off of their epic run that stopped at the Super Bowl for this team.  Quarterback Kurt Warner is coming back from a concussion he suffered on November 22nd that caused him to miss last weeks game against the Tennessee Titans.  While Warner has passed all of the necessary tests to get back on the field, the question remains of whether he’s 100% ready to take on a tough Vikings team.  Warner still has an arsenal of weapons that will make sure they do their job as they continue their push for a second consecutive playoff run.  A win against the Vikings would make their case a lot more compelling.

I expect the Vikings to win this game but I doubt the Cardinals will lay down so it’ll be a great match up of some high powered offenses for Sunday Night Football.

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8:29 EST: Tim Hightower fumbles the football.  Vikings recover!  WOW!  Second play of the game.  SMH

8:31 EST: Percy Harvin on the catch for a Vikings 1st down.

8:40 EST: Shiancoe on the TD off the Hightower fumble.

Vikings 7 - Cardinals 0

8:56 EST: Steve Breaston with a HUGE run back setting up the TD for the Cardinals.

Cardinals 7 - Vikings 7

8:58 EST: Cardinal defense on an impressive series holding the Vikings.

9:15 EST: Fitz is just amazing...like seriously amazing!

9:27 EST: Boldin on that ridiculous catch and run for the TD...yessir.

Cardinals 14—Vikings 7

9:34 EST: Adrian’s heating up!  Cardinals better get a handle on him or it’s wrap for them.

Cardinals 21—Vikings 10

END OF FIRST HALF—CARDINALS 21 - VIKINGS 10

Receiving REC YDS TD LG
A. Boldin 7 98 2 39
L. Fitzgerald 4 71 1 34
T. Hightower 1 8 0 8

START OF SECOND HALF

10:11 EST: Vikings ball at the 20 yard line.

10:17 EST: Carlos Dansby thank you for making a play.  The old Favre was bound to be exposed in this game.  Adrian Wilson drown yoself!

10:31 EST: Darnell Dockett makes a play with his swole behind.

10:32 EST: Vikings not looking so unstoppable against the Cardinals.  Any given Sunday ladies and gentlemen.  That’s 2 for Favre and it should be 4 interceptions! 

Arizona leads 24 to 10!  I smell the upset.  Dial it up, let’s go!

10;49 EST: Ok so I’m SO OVER this game!  Like completely over it!

Cardinals 27 - Vikings 10

11:00 EST: All over Favre tonight.  SMH!

11:13 EST: That’s a terrible loss of EJ Henderson!  Poor guy!

11:17 EST: Almost there ladies and gents.  4th quarter under 5 mins left to play, Cards are driving and are about to put the nail in the coffin.

Cardinals 30 - Vikings 10

GAME OVER

Great win for the Cardinals.  Prayers go out to the Henderson family.  Hope he makes a full recovery!