The Cardinals won their first game since the opening season of the year last week over the Detroit Lions.  The Vikings have lost 4 in a row. 

The Cardinals should throw first to open up running lanes for Edgerrin James.  James (680 yards rushing, 3.1 ypc) is having a rough time this season and I don’t think he has much chance of turning his year around the week.  The Vikings only allow 59.6 yards rushing per game and 2.7 yards per carry.  The better bet for the Cardinals is to take their chances with the Vikings secondary.  As long as Matt Leinart has time to throw, he should do well because Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald give the Cards a big edge when not throwing in Antoine Winfield’s direction.

The Vikings will try to pound the Cards defense with Chester Taylor’s (863 yards rushing) running and then take some play-action shots down the field.  The Cards defense has been a little soft against the run allowing 118.9 yards rushing per game and 4.1 yards per carry.  Johnson (5 TDs, 10 INTs) will probably keep his throws short and safe, because he just doesn’t have the arm to drive the ball deep anymore. 

i would think this would be a low-scoring football game.  I give a slight edge to the Vikings because they are at home, but that hasn’t helped them lately.