***TNF IN THE SWAMP - WEEK 14 - MINNY @ ZONA***

***MINNESOTA VIKINGS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS***

Tonight we have the familiar case of two teams trending in different directions clashing on a Prime Time stage. The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a straight up embarassing game last weekend when the usual late-season surging Seattle Seahawks came into their house and WHOOPED 'em real good in front of their fans. The Hawks look to be finally rolling on all cylinders while they set their sites on the playoffs and simply made the Vikings look like a below average team let alone the playoff squad we all percieved them to be when they took the NFC North division lead earlier this season. Since then, they dropped a close game to the Packers, beat the reeling Falcons, and got SMACKED by the Seahawks as mentioned above. Needless to say this team is struggling at the moment and in dire need of a positive statement type of outing, and what better way than a short week against one of the top teams in the league on Prime Time football baby?! After running into a buzzsaw last weekend, star Viking RB Adrian Peterson publically criticized the coaching staff and his displeasure with not getting the ball enough. When most would view this as a negative, I've read that the coaching staff took it as more of a positive and motivation to scheme and right the wrongs they have been having on offense lately. I fully expect the Vikings to have a offensive gameplan to counter the Cardinals ability to score at will and go toe to toe with the Red Birds. That is a much easier said task than done obviously, considering the Arizona defensive secondary has been lights out and appropriately named themselves the "No Fly Zone" with talents like ProBowl CB Patrick Peterson and who I think could be a nominee this season for defensive MVP in the young Tyrann Mathieu or better known in his LSU days as the "Honeybadger" back in coverage. Although it is said that Minnesota QB Teddy Bridgewater cannot beat anybody through the air, I disagree and believe Teddy is a very intelligent and talented young QB who has the tools necessary to have success in the passing game. The Vikings have plenty of speed at WR led by rookie Stefon Diggs who is having himself a breakout first season quickly becoming Teddy's favorite target. I like the Viking WRs to use their speed to get after it tonight with the reliable TE Kyle Rudolph serving as the usual security blanket. Adrian Peterson will get his touches tonight to help open up this passing game and the Vikings know they will have to put up points tonight with a severly banged up defense of their own. The Minnesota defense has been a great unit this year but have lost a couple of their key guys to injury who will unfortunately not be suiting up tonight. While this is a MAJOR issue for the Purple People Eaters, it does not mean they are automatically incapable of performing well. This Viking team will come to play after letting up a lot of points last week when Russel Wilson made great use of his mobility to beat them badly. As good as Cardinals QB Carson Palmer is, he is not mobile like Wilson and will get hit tonight. The Coaching matchup tonight is an AWESOME meeting of the minds with Viking Coach Mike Zimmer who is a defensive specialist versus Arizona offensive guru Bruce Arians. I believe Arians is the best football mind in the game next to Belichik and it will be interesting to see how Zimmer will scheme to help make up for his depleted defense. Arizona is hands down a playoff team looking to seal a division victory but I don't think it will be as easy as most may believe with that Seattle team sneaking up on them in their rearview and some tough games ahead starting with tonight. I don't know about you, but SWAMPER IS AMPED UP because this season is about to get EXTREMELY interesting and will surely be a wild finish with these last four weeks determining the playoff picture and a lot of it most likely being decided in the final week! Every game is crucial from here on out, and these teams will play like it. In a nutshell, I like this one to be a very entertaining matchup as the Cards will no doubt score against the wounded secondary, but I like the Vikes to be prepped and ready to answer the bell and for Teddy B to redeem himself for the world to see and maybe even get the upset on the road here. VIKINGS +10!