The Arizona Cardinals dropped an important game last week in Seattle, but they remain among the teams vying for playoff positioning in the NFC after Week 13.
Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings was an opportunity for the Cardinals to regain control of their own destiny, but they fell short. Where does Arizona currently sit in the NFC playoff race after their latest loss?
Can the Cardinals Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 14, the Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 and now have a 53.1% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a 0.3% chance for the first seed, a 2.1% chance for the second seed, a 32.9% chance for the third seed, a 9.7% chance for the fourth seed, a <0.1% chance for the fifth seed, a 0.7% chance for the sixth seed, and a 7.4% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the Cardinals Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like heading into Week 14:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 45.0% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 32.1% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 17.4% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 5.6% chance to win the NFC West.
Current NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (7-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-6)
- Los Angeles Rams (6-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-7)
NFC Playoff Race | Week 18
1. Detroit Lions (14-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-2)
6. Washington Commanders (11-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
In The Hunt
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
Eliminated From Playoffs
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11)
14. Chicago Bears (4-12)
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12)
16. New York Giants (3-13)
Cardinals’ Super Bowl Chances After Week 13
Can the Cardinals win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that Arizona has a 3.8% chance to win it all.
Cardinals’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks
- Week 15: vs. New England Patriots
- Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
- Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams
- Week 18: vs. San Francisco 49ers
What PFN Predicted for the Cardinals vs. Vikings Matchup
Arizona enters at 6-5 and just a nose — er, a beak — out of first place following their loss last week to the Seattle Seahawks (6-5). It was the Cardinals’ first loss in over a month, having had won four straight before their Week 12 hiccup.
The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are in the midst of a four-game winning streak of its own, with the most recent triumph a dramatic one in overtime against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. The Vikings are one game back of the Detroit Lions in the NFC North and begin a stretch of three consecutive home games.
Arizona’s offense figures to be a worthy challenger for the Vikings’ top-notch run defense.
The Cardinals feature three capable runners, with James Conner and Trey Benson providing a thunder-and-lightning combination and then quarterback Kyler Murray adding his own dynamic, unpredictable element.
Arizona ranks sixth in rushing yards per game at 140.6, seventh in first downs gained via the rush with 86, and ninth in rushing touchdowns with 12. The Cardinals are also one of the rare NFL teams with an equal distribution of runs and passes in their play-calling, with a 313-299 ratio in favor of the pass.
Minnesota, meanwhile, ranks No. 1 or No. 2 in seemingly every significant run defense statistic, including top standing in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and rushing first downs allowed. They’ve also faced the fewest rushing attempts in the NFL, which is why Arizona’s balanced play-calling and solid rushing production provides an interesting subplot to this contest.
On the other side of the ball, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold returns to the controlled confines of his home stadium following two outstanding efforts against the Tennessee Titans two weeks ago and the Bears last week. Darnold paced Minnesota’s offense with 576 passing yards and four touchdowns in those two games.
The threat of Justin Jefferson is well known, and Arizona will certainly account for him in its plan. Still, his presence and opposing defenses’ reaction to him have provided opportunities for other pass catchers in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
No. 2 wide receiver Jordan Addison has been the splashiest of the bunch lately and enters Sunday’s game with 17 catches for 223 yards and two touchdowns to his credit over the past two weeks.
Running back Aaron Jones got things going last week, too, rushing for over 100 yards for the first time since Week 3 and for a touchdown for the first time since Week 7.
Arizona and Minnesota feature contrasting play styles. The Cardinals keep games flowing by leaning on their run game for offensive production and authoring a bend-but-don’t-break style of defense, making it difficult for some offenses to light up the scoreboard.
The Vikings, meanwhile, feature an explosive offense that generates big-play opportunities regularly. The defense is stout against the run, pressures opposing passers consistently, and takes the ball away frequently.
The Vikings’ high profile and current four-game winning streak, compared to the Cardinals’ low profile and recent dud in Seattle, have the public and bettors siding with Minnesota, who enters the game as 4.5-point favorites.
PFN Prediction: Vikings 30, Cardinals 20
