Benster and D Pick Your Games----Yet Another NFL Network Required Edition

So, old dude, what is with the NFL Network and having a team of interest on a Thursday Night yet again? Three weeks in a row now. Is the league office trying to get our readers to upgrade a tier to get NFL Network?

It could be -- it's all about the money with the NFL. Was this going to conflict with something you wanted to watch on the Hallmark Channel?

Not particularly, but thanks for asking!

I know -- you wanted to watch Australian Rules Football on ESPN24.5.

Maybe, but then again, we live in a 1000 channel universe, so I suppose I could catch that later. The NFL needs something beyond yet another studio show; if it weren't for live events I wonder if the network would become a thing of the past.

Hard to argue with that.

It is time to discuss the game in the desert. Watch me work!

Minnesota Vikings (+9) vs. Arizona Cardinals. The Vikings are going to the desert, which means it is time to bust out an old favorite. If you are a Vikings fan, I suggest you don't watch this video:

Much has changed since that day 12 years ago. The Vikings are still very much alive for the division and even a possible bye, but they were routed by a surging Seattle team at home over the weekend. Arizona is no slouch either, with Carson Palmer doing an excellent Kurt Warner imitation and Holy Angles alum Larry Fitzgerald having arguably the best year in his decorated career. This game is going to be very tough for the Vikings, who have surprised many this year. Could the Vikings start to gain some confidence back? Sure, because this game is going to be closer than you might think. But it might not be enough. Raising Arizona 37, Vikings 31.

Tough spot for the Vikings -- they are missing half their defense, they have to play on the road in a hostile venue and they aren't doing very well offensively, either. It would actually benefit the Packers if the Vikings won, because it would potentially set up a chance for the Packers to overtake the Cardinals for the 2nd seed in the NFC with a win in a few weeks. But I don't see that happening. Cardinals 34, Vikings 17.

We will be back at our normal time for yet another edition of Benster and D. I will even add some HYYYYYYPPPPEE! Ben out!