Minnesota Vikings To Face Defending NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals

NFL News - December 1st, 2009 - Written by John

Last year, Kurt Warner set a precedent by becoming one of the oldest quarterbacks ever to suit up for a Super Bowl, and nearly won the whole thing. Now, Brett Favre looks poised to piggy-back off Warner's example and become the first 40-year old ever to lead a team to a conference title.

The two will meet when the Minnesota Vikings travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday. The Vikings are favored by 1 1/2 points, according to NFL Betting Lines, with a total of 49. Odds courtesy of DSI Sportsbook.

Favre is in the middle of a historic year after deciding to come out of retirement at the age of 39. Recently turned 40, he already accomplished his first two goals (albeit sheepishly) by sweeping the Green Bay Packers, and is a strong candidate for NFL MVP. His 8-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is the best in the league and he has the Minnesota Vikings 10-1, just a game behind the New Orleans Saints for the NFC lead.

Minnesota has players rated in the top-5 in all three skill positions, and a defense that ranks eighth. Favre is the second-rated passer in football at 112.1, Adrian Peterson is third in rushing with 1,084 yards and Sidney Rice's breakout year with 964 yards puts him third on the receiving list.

Jared Allen is second in the league with 12 1/2 sacks.

Last week, their dominance over the NFC North was never more apparent when all three facets came together in a 36-10 blowout over the Chicago Bears. Favre threw for a season-high 392 yards and three touchdowns in the win, and Percy Harvin reached 100 yards for the first time in his rookie season. He caught six passes for 101 yards and a score, and is quickly becoming the front-runner for offensive Rooke of The Year.

But the Arizona Cardinals have built a solid offense as well, re-signing Warner after his trip to the Super Bowl. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin remain as one of the best receiving tandems in the league with 1,419 combined yards, and running back Tim Hightower is finally beginning to eat up some real estate.

The bad news is the Cardinals may need to rely on back-up Matt Leinart once again. Warner said he is still feeling concussion symptoms from a hit two weeks ago and his status is questionable.

Minnesota has won the last three meetings, including a 35-14 drubbing late last year, and is 6-2 ATS in it's last eight games against the Cardinals. But Arizona is 8-3 ATS in it's last 11 games against the NFC, and the Vikings are 2-6 ATS against teams with winning records lately.