Cardinals vs. Vikings | Week 13 Predictions, Odds & Best Bets

Happy Sunday. We’re deep into the 2024/25 NFL Season and it’s making me a little sad. We’re already here in Week 13, the playoffs are right around the corner and with it; fewer and fewer football games.

When you get to Week 13, there’s no room for mistakes. Teams are locked in (should be) and every single game matters that much more. This week we’ve got two of the biggest surprises in football; the NFC West-leading Arizona Cardinals, taking on the 9-win Minnesota Vikings (9-2).

Both teams were projected to finish near, if not at the bottom of their respective divisions. Now the Cardinals look to secure their hold on the NFC West, while the Vikings look to inch just a little bit closer to the Detroit Lions in the NFC North. 

Here are our best bets for the Cardinals vs. Vikings

• Trey McBride o59.5 Receiving Yards (-108)
• Aaron Jones o18.5 Receiving Yards (-109)

Cardinals vs. Vikings Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: U.S. Bank Stadium;Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Date: Sunday, December 1st, 2024
• Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST

Quarterback Matchup

• Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray (6-5; 2024 – 213.0 YPG | 12 TD | 4 INT)
• Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold (9-2; 2024 – 247.0 YPG | 21 TD | 10 INT)

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Run Line

• Arizona Cardinals +3.5 (-115)
• Minnesota Vikings-3.5 (-105)

Money Line

• Arizona Cardinals (+155)
• Minnesota Vikings (-175)

Total

• Over 44.5 (-110)
• Under 44.5 (-110)

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NFL picks today at BetOnline

Cardinals vs. Vikings Analysis & Breakdown

Dog Fight in the NFC North

The only NFC North team not in action on Thanksgiving Day, Minnesota. The Vikings sit 2nd in the division, just 1-game back of the Detroit Lions.

The vibes could not be higher in Minnesota and with the team returning to Minneapolis for the first time in almost 4 weeks, look for the Vikings to be fired up.

Kevin O’Connell and this Vikings staff have brought Sam Darnold to life. In just his first year with the Vikings, Darnold is putting up career-high numbers; averaging 247 passing yards per game, he’s thrown a 21 touchdowns and he’s won 9 of the Vikings 11 games.

The Vikings have had a tough schedule, beat some good team, but let’s not forget they play in the NFC North. Teams in the NFC North are a combined 33-19, with 3 of the 4 teams already having 9-wins. This division beats up on each other, but it’s also why each team is so talented.

Iron sharpens iron.

Tickle Fight in the NFC West

Back in September, if you told me that, going into Week 13, the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks would be tied for top spot in the NFC West, I’d probably laugh; audibly. Obviously not only was I wrong, but the the 49ers are the only team in the division that’s already recorded at least 1 loss to each member of the division.

The division still is very much, up for grabs; both the Seahawks and Cardinals sit at 6-5, with the Rams and Niners not far behind at 5-6.

This week all 4-teams are on the road; with the Cardinals in Minneapolis, the Seahawks are at MetLife, the Rams are down in Louisiana and the Niners are in Buffalo to cap off our Sunday night in a snow storm.

With each team still within just a single game, the Cardinals will need to do the unlikely if they hope to stay atop the division; beat the Vikings.

Trey McBride o59.5 Receiving Yards (-108)

We might be seeing a changing of the guard at the Tight End position. These young TEs have looked great this season and we’ve got a plethora of new names taking their turns in the spotlight. This week we’re here to talk about the a guy that really popped onto the scene last year, Trey McBride.

Last year, in his first year as a full time starter, McBridge led the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards and was tied for 2nd in receiving touchdowns. He was great and he did it all with two different starting QBs.

This year, in 13 weeks with Kyler Murray; McBride is averaging 8 targets/game, 6.1 receptions/game and 68.5 receiving yards per game. He once again leads all Cardinals receivers in targets, yards, receptions and has yet to score a touchdown this year.

This week, against a Vikings defense that blitzes heavy, but also gives up a huge amount yards through the air; look for McBride to once again have a big day. Minnesota ranks 28th in pass yards allowed, but just 13th in yards allowed ti TEs. This has more to do with their opponents than the defensive schemes.

Tight End Univesity

The Vikes have faced 4 TEs that are heavily involved in the offense; George Kittle, Tyler Conklin, Evan Engram and Cole Kmet. Those 4 guys combined for 26 catches, over 230 receiving yards and one touchdown.

With the different types of blitz packages we see from the Vikings and their defensive co-ordinator Brian Flores, Murray’s going to need a release valve. Trey McBride has been exactly that for Murray this year.

McBride’s seeing a 26% target share on the year and his average depth of target is sitting just over 7 yards per target. Most of his catches are coming right around the line of scrimmage and McBride’s breaking tackles. He ranks 3rd, among TEs, in yards after contact and 4th in yards after catch.

He’s been Mr. Reliable for the Cardinals this season, so if they hope to steal a win on the road this week, it begins with Trey McBride.

Trey McBride o59.5 Receiving Yards (-108) via BetOnline

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Aaron Jones o18.5 Receiving Yards (-109)

Aaron Jones in the Minnesota Vikings backfield, still doesn’t feel real. Jones has been great in his first year with the Vikings, averaging 72.5 rush yards per game and adding another 25.9 yards per game through the air.

Jones has always been an elite-level running back in the NFL and big reason why is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. AJ has averaged 21+ receiving yards per game in 6 straight seasons, averaging 3 receptions per game in that same time frame.

This year, Jones has cleared this line in 7 of his 11 games with the Vikings; averaging 3.6 receptions/game at home in Minnesota. The Cardinals defense hasn’t been the best this season, ranking 19th in pass yards allowed.

It’s against running backs they have the most trouble. Arizona currently ranks 26th in receiving yards allowed to opposing running backs. They’ve allowed 7 of the L10 starting running backs to record 20+ receiving yards and 9 of the L10 to record 3+ receptions.

Big Aaron Jones fan this week.

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Aaron Jones o18.5 Receiving Yards (-109) via BetOnline

Get 50% up to $1,000 on your NFL picks today at BetOnline

To Recap, NFL Bets for December 1st, 2024:

In the Cardinals vs. Vikings game on Sunday, we’re rolling with 2 props. Trey McBride o59.5 Receiving Yards (-108), & Aaron Jones o18.5 Receiving Yards (-109); both via BetOnline

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