VIKINGS AT CARDINALS

• 1:05 p.m. Sunday
• State Farm Stadium
• Line: Cardinals -3.5 (For more details see BetMGM.com)

The three biggest things to watch for Sunday when the Cardinals play the Vikings at State Farm Stadium:

D-Hop versus P2

This is a matchup that's happened a few times, but of course, that was when Hopkins was a Texan and Patrick Peterson was a Cardinal. The two got to be teammates for a season, and now, the Vikings bring in their most high-profile free-agent signing when Peterson returns to State Farm Stadium. We will see if Peterson sticks with Hopkins the whole game, as he would have back in the day when the two met previously. Hopkins is coming off a very good two-touchdown opener. The Vikings' defense as a whole did not play the way it wanted. You know Peterson would love to make an impact in his game, with a huge play or two. Nuk is going to want to show out too. Fascinating to watch.

Watt To Cook Vikings' Offense?

The Cardinals' defense stopped Titans running back Derrick Henry for a three-yard loss on the first play from scrimmage, and the tone was set. Can J.J. Watt and company do the same to Dalvin Cook? The Vikings have some passing threats, but the Vikings start with Cook, and keeping him in check again will go a long way toward how this game turns out. Watt didn't have gaudy stats last week but watching the video, he made an impact – all the while the Cardinals able to keep his snap count down to 77 percent, which will help his freshness. Chandler Jones will be looking to continue his rampage, but if the Vikings devote extra resources to slow that part of the defense, Watt very well could have a similar type of game.

What It Means To Have A Stadium Full Of Fans

The Cardinals had at least some fans in the stadium for most of 2020, although the small crowds couldn't make the giant stadium seem weirdly empty. The crowds will be back starting Sunday. The Cardinals, even on the road, enjoyed the return of a full house in Tennessee. Now they get the Red Sea on their side – which, after a dominating Week One win, should only serve to fuel the fanbase and, by extension the Cardinals on the field.