Cardinals vs. Vikings Prediction: Arizona's Offense Keeps Improving with Murray and Hopkins

The Arizona Cardinals desperately needed Deandre Hopkins back on the field in their Week 7 Thursday Night Football victory over the New Orleans Saints.

While he didn’t solve all of their problems, a 42-34 win over the Saints was much needed for their struggling offense.

Their Week 8 opponent, the Minnesota Vikings sat idle on their bye week at 5-1. Arizona is 3-4, but could be in a position for a strong second half of the season with Hopkins on the field. 

It’s Kyler Murray vs. Kirk Cousins in Week 8, so let’s take a look at what Vegas thinks. 

Cardinals vs. Vikings Odds, Spread and Total

Cardinals vs. Vikings Odds, Spread and Total Movement

The Vikings opened as 1-point favorites, but are now up to 3.5 at most books. The total has also moved from 47.5 to 49. 

Cardinals vs. Vikings Prediction and Pick

Earlier in the week at BetSided, I discussed how much Deandre Hopkins helps the Cardinals running game as their most involved blocker on the outside. He even had a lead block near the goal line that allowed Keaontay Ingram to score.

He is also the focal point of their passing game and the person that he helps the most is Kyler Murray. 

Murray has an 86.3 passer rating, averages 238.1 yards per game, and has 31 touchdowns to 17 picks in 26 games without Hopkins on the field, according to Statmuse. In 27 games with Hopkins on the field, Murray has a 98.6 passer rating, averages 257.7 yards per game, has 46 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 27 games with Hopkins. 

He is just a completely different quarterback and going up against the perpetually average Kirk Cousins, will be the more dynamic playmaker. I don’t like either defense and I have the over from earlier in the week, but now my favorite play is Cardinals on the moneyline. 

PICK: Cardinals +160

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.