Vikings know better than to underestimate Cardinals ahead of Sunday's home game

Fresh off their win against the Eagles Sunday, the Vikings returned to the practice field to get ready for week six where they will take on the Arizona Cardinals.

Heading into last Sunday’s matchup, Minnesota was feeling the heat going into their game against the Eagles.

They were able to get the job done in Philadelphia and the Vikings feel that type of win can help galvanize them the rest of the way.

For the first time since week one the Minnesota Vikings are coming off a win and it was a much needed one at that.

"I don't know if it was a gut check or not,” said Vikings Safety Harrison Smith. “Every game if you don't bring your best, you're going to get beat. It's just how it is in this league."

One win doesn't cure all ills but Sunday in Philadelphia, the Vikings were able to put all the pieces together and Kirk Cousins says it's a type of performance the Vikings need to show more consistently.

"I think we've shown flashes in spurts that show that every phase of this team can play at a very high level with anybody in this league. The key is doing it again and again and again consistently and putting it all together where the different phases of our team can complement one another," Cousins said.

After two weeks on the road, the Vikings will return to U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday to host Arizona, a team that many expect the Vikings to beat but the last time the Vikings were faced with such a scenario, they were waxed up and down the field by Buffalo.

It's a memory that remains fresh in Minnesota’s mind and they're determined to not let it happen again.

"We need to play well to beat this team. Defensively they're very, very fast. Chandler Jones is an outstanding player. Patrick Peterson is an outstanding player," said Vikings Coach Mike Zimmer of his Sunday opponent.

"It seems like every week we play somebody who's an effective pass rusher and is going to impact the game and sometimes more than just one and so that clock is going off pretty fast every single week but if there's ever week where I feel we got to be aware of a pass rush it's certainly this week,” Zimmer added.

INJURY REPORT

Defensive back Trae Waynes, who missed last week's game against Philadelphia with a concussion, was back at practice and he is expected to play this Sunday when the Vikings host the Cardinals.