Cardinals vs Vikings Odds 2011 NFL Picks Week 5: The floundering Cardinals will make their way north this week to face the winless Vikings at Mall of America Field in Minneapolis. The two teams are slated for a 1:00pm ET kickoff on Sunday; the game will be broadcast live on FOX. Football odds makers have installed Minnesota as a -1.5 against the spread home favorite and the game total at 45.5 points. Get a head start on your 2011 NFL Picks Week 5, check out the latest Cardinals vs Vikings Odds available now.
Arizona fumbled its way to a second 
consecutive heartbreaking loss on Sunday, falling at home to the Giants 31-27 despite leading 27-17 with just over five minutes left in the fourth quarter. The setback dropped Ken Whisenhunt's squad to 1-3 on the season and put them two games back of the NFC West leading 49ers.
The club's big offseason acquisition, quarterback Kevin Kolb, has faltering in the last two games, averaging 6.7 yards per pass while throwing one touchdown to three interceptions. Kolb opened the season in strong fashion, throwing for 560 yards and four touchdowns in his first two games as a Cardinal.
The Kolb of weeks one and two will need to show up in Minnesota or Arizona will, most likely, find itself digging out of a 1-4 hole. The ground game has been stronger this season with Beanie Wells averaging 107 rush yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry (also leads all running backs with five touchdowns); however, given Wells penchant for injury, Kolb needs to share the spotlight with the former Buckeye. Get $50 in Free NFL Picks Here.
Minnesota saw its record drop to 0-4 last Sunday with a 22-17 loss at Kansas City. The Vikings posted some respectable numbers in the loss and they won the time of possession battle, but the Chiefs effectively limited running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson finished the game with 80 rush yards on 23 carries (3.5 ypc) and he failed to score a touchdown for the second time this season.
Despite the mediocre showing, the Vikings figure to force feed Peterson again this week with the Cardinals in town. Arizona's run defense ranks a modest 15th, giving up an average of 105.5 yards per game, but the former Sooners remains the key piece in Minnesota's offense and he needs to touch the ball in order for Minnesota to break out of its funk.
Two struggling teams often give it their all, especially early in the season, and this contest should be no different. While the Cardinals may be the slightly better team, at least on paper, expect Minnesota to fight its way to its first win of the season on Sunday.
Cardinals vs Vikings Odds 2011 NFL Picks Week 5: Provided by BetOnline.com
Arizona Cardinals +1.5 (+105), Over 45.5 (-110), +120 (Moneyline)
Minnesota Vikings -1.5 (-125), Under 45.5 (-110), -140 (Moneyline)
