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Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings: PFM Team Comparison

The Minnesota Vikings hold a clear overall advantage over the Arizona Cardinals in the current PFM ratings. Minnesota separates itself through the stronger coaching operation and the stronger defense.

Current PFM Team Scores

ARI

Arizona Cardinals

73.3PFM Team Score#27 NFL
Clear edgeMIN

Minnesota Vikings

79.0PFM Team Score#17 NFL
Swap Teams Clear Comparison
PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Minnesota Vikings Higher

The Minnesota Vikings have the stronger coaching operation under Kevin O'Connell. The advantage shows up in preparation, adjustments and pressure situations. Arizona's strongest counterargument is QB Stability. Quarterback is where the Arizona Cardinals have their cleanest advantage. With Jacoby Brissett, the offense has a better floor when the first answer stops working.

Minnesota also brings the stronger defense. Minnesota adds the less limited big-play ability. The counterargument matters, but it does not erase Minnesota's clear overall advantage.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Arizona vs. Minnesota Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

ARIArizona Cardinals
MINMinnesota Vikings
Arizona Cardinals vs. Minnesota Vikings Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Arizona Cardinals 78.4, Minnesota Vikings 76.4, edge ARI +2.0; Offense: Arizona Cardinals 75.8, Minnesota Vikings 77.2, edge MIN +1.4; Defense: Arizona Cardinals 72.3, Minnesota Vikings 82.0, edge MIN +9.7; Coaching Direction: Arizona Cardinals 71.9, Minnesota Vikings 82.2, edge MIN +10.3; Roster Depth: Arizona Cardinals 73.0, Minnesota Vikings 79.1, edge MIN +6.1. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
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THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Arizona Cardinals’ Best Argument

The Arizona Cardinals ask fewer questions at quarterback because Jacoby Brissett sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script. The QB Stability advantage is a real point in Arizona's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Arizona is that Minnesota counters with the stronger coaching operation and the stronger defense.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

ARI73.3
Arizona Cardinals 73.3
MIN79.0
Minnesota Vikings 79.0
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Overall NFL Rank

ARI#27
Arizona Cardinals #27
MIN#17
Minnesota Vikings #17
Minnesota Vikings ranks higher

QB Stability

ARI78.4
Arizona Cardinals 78.4
MIN76.4
Minnesota Vikings 76.4
Clear Arizona Cardinals edge

Roster Strength

ARI73.0
Arizona Cardinals 73.0
MIN79.1
Minnesota Vikings 79.1
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Coaching Direction

ARI71.9
Arizona Cardinals 71.9
MIN82.2
Minnesota Vikings 82.2
Major Minnesota Vikings edge

Recent Performance

ARI68.3
Arizona Cardinals 68.3
MIN79.9
Minnesota Vikings 79.9
Major Minnesota Vikings edge

Offense

ARI75.8
Arizona Cardinals 75.8
MIN77.2
Minnesota Vikings 77.2
Slight Minnesota Vikings edge

Defense

ARI72.3
Arizona Cardinals 72.3
MIN82.0
Minnesota Vikings 82.0
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Franchise Direction

ARI73.1
Arizona Cardinals 73.1
MIN77.0
Minnesota Vikings 77.0
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Explosiveness

ARI67.4
Arizona Cardinals 67.4
MIN77.1
Minnesota Vikings 77.1
Clear Minnesota Vikings edge

Conference Rank

ARI#14
Arizona Cardinals #14
MIN#8
Minnesota Vikings #8
Minnesota Vikings ranks higher

Division Rank

ARI#4
Arizona Cardinals #4
MIN#4
Minnesota Vikings #4
Even rank

Outlook

ARINeeds More HelpMINIn the Playoff Mix
Stronger outlook: Minnesota Vikings
TEAM CONSTRUCTION

How These Teams Are Built Differently

Arizona Cardinals

Strongest Rating
QB Stability
Category Edge
QB Stability
Biggest Matchup Concern
Coaching Direction

Arizona's clearest category edge is QB Stability. Quarterback is the clearest separator. Jacoby Brissett gives Arizona more certainty than the Minnesota Vikings have at the position. The biggest problem in this matchup is Coaching Direction, where Minnesota owns the clearer advantage.

Minnesota Vikings

Strongest Rating
Coaching Direction
Category Edge
Coaching Direction
Biggest Matchup Concern
QB Stability
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Arizona Cardinals

Full schedule rank: #1

Toughest stretch: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs

Strongest opponents: Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs

View Arizona Cardinals Road Ahead

Minnesota Vikings

Full schedule rank: #17

Toughest stretch: Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers

Strongest opponents: San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills

View Minnesota Vikings Road Ahead

Arizona has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 1. The strongest opponents include Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, and Kansas City Chiefs. Minnesota also has the more favorable road, which adds to the stronger coaching operation and the stronger defense.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated September 8, 2026. Schedule data updated June 29, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams