Thursday NFL
Buccaneers (2-4) @ Vikings (5-2)—Tampa Bay won last five series games, winning last two here, 24-13 in ’05, 24-20 LY, but Minnesota is lot better this year, winning all four home games by average score of 25-14 (2-1 as home fave). Bucs lost but covered both road games, 41-34 (+7.5) at Giants, 16-10 (+7.5) at Dallas; since ’09, they’re 15-9-1 as road underdogs- they’re 3-1 overall as dogs this year. Freeman threw ball for 415 yards last week (9.7 ypa). Minnesota allowed 14 or less points in four of its five wins; Arizona started four of its first six drives in Viking territory last week, but scored only seven points, then Vikes sat on lead in second half (were just 8-17/43 passing). NFC North non-divisional home favorites are 4-4 vs spread; NFC spread non-divisional road teams are 6-0 vs spread, 4-0 if underdogs. Four of last five Tampa games went over; five of last six Viking games stayed under.
Minnesota -3 (1st half)
