Thursday Night Football: Arizona Cardinals Heavily Favored To Beat Minnesota Vikings

USA Today

The 2015 NFL regular season is quickly coming to a close with only a few more weeks remaining before the playoffs get underway. Although five of the eight divisions in the league have clear favorites to win division titles, the NFC North has one of the more compelling battles for the opportunity to be postseason bound.

The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are currently sitting with identical 8-4 records meaning every game from here on out is a must-win situation. After losing two of the last three games, the Vikings are desperately trying to get back on track before it a too late.

In Week 14, Adrian Peterson and company will go up against one of their toughest challenges of the season. The Vikings will be on the road as heavy underdogs to face the Arizona Cardinals (10-2). Arizona has only lost one game at home this season, and that probably won’t be changing on Thursday night.

The Cardinals have won six straight games heading into this Week 14 with all the confidence to extend that winning streak. Along with Arizona cruising on their way to the NFC West division title, veteran quarterback Carson Palmer is playing some of the best football of his career and is currently a legitimate NFL MVP candidate. The MVP award will more than likely go to Cam Newton of the undefeated Carolina Panthers, but Palmer, as well as Tom Brady, has made a strong case for the regular-season award.

According to Sportsbook.ag, the Cardinals are favored by -10 to come out on top against the visiting Vikings. Although Minnesota is a force to be reckoned with this season, Arizona is the superior team by far at this point in the season.

The Cardinals will almost certainly win a seventh straight game on Thursday night, but covering the spread might be a stretch unless Minnesota completely falls apart. The safe bet here might be the Vikings at +10.