Minnesota Vikings host 49ers in battle of unbeatens
Looking back just two short weeks ago before the 2009 NFL season kicked off, Week 3's meeting between the Niners and Vikings in Minnesota probably didn't jump off the schedule as being a crucial contest between a pair of 2-0 teams. That's what it is however, as Shaun Hill leads San Francisco into the Metrodome as touchdown underdogs to face Brett Favre and the Vikes in one of the early games on FOX.
It’s only Week 3, but taking a look back at preseason opinions of analysts and handicappers alike reveals a different reality than the one currently faced by NFL bettors. New England, Pittsburgh, and San Diego were supposed to be the class of the AFC, but all three have stumbled out of the gate to some degree.
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets (-3, 37)
Sunday, Sep 27, 1:00 p.m. (ET) CBS
The Titans (0-2, 1-1 ATS) are also one of the teams expected to do well according to preseason prognosticators, but they’ve been unimpressive through two weeks. Next up for Tennessee are the Jets (2-0, 2-0 ATS), who find themselves in first place in the AFC East heading into Week 3.
Jeff Fisher’s team is having trouble stopping the pass, which wasn’t the concern after losing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the offseason. The Titans gave up 357 yards through the air in their 34-31 loss against Houston (+6.5) last week, failing to cover despite leading by 14 points at one point.
The good news for Tennessee backers is the team’s running game is rolling. Chris Johnson ran for 197 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns last week, while also hauling in nine passes for 87 yards with a score for the Titans.
Tennessee might have trouble moving the ball against New York, which stifled New England 16-9 at home last week, cashing as 3.5-point home underdogs. New head coach Rex Ryan appears to have instilled some good habits with the defense, which was also the key in the Jets’ 24-7 payday as 4.5-point pups at Houston in Week 1.
The line has settled pretty much where it opened earlier in the week, although one reputable book has the Titans giving only a point to the Jets. Overall, 52% of plays on the matchup have come in on Tennessee, so oddsmakers have to be happy about the potential returns for their employers.
New York (+5.5) ripped Tennessee 34-13 when the teams met last season at LP Field, but that was when some guy named Brett Favre ran the Jets’ offense.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5, 39)
Sunday, Sep 27, 1:00 p.m. FOX
The only battle of undefeated teams this week goes down at the Metrodome, as the Vikings (2-0, 2-0 ATS) tackle the upstart 49ers (2-0, 2-0 ATS) on Sunday.
This is a good test for San Francisco, which prides itself on hard-nosed defense and running the ball. Minnesota has to be considered one of the best at rushing the football and stopping the ground game, so we’ll see what the Niners are made of this week.
San Fran (-1) rumbled for 256 rushing yards in its 23-10 win over Seattle last week at Candlestick Park. Frank Gore finished with 207 yards on 16 attempts with two TDs for the Niners, while San Francisco held the Seahawks to only 66 rushing yards of their own.
The Vikes sport the best in the business in Adrian Peterson, who was pedestrian by his lofty standards last week against Detroit. Peterson had 92 yards on the ground in Minnesota’s 27-13 payday as 10-point chalk at Ford Field last Sunday, when the Vikings trailed 10-7 at halftime.
All the little nicks and bruises are already affecting both teams heading into this week’s game, and Minny can’t be surprised because Brett Favre is its quarterback. Favre (bent fingernail) is probable for the Vikes, while both Peterson (back) and Percy Harvin (illness) are also expected to play. Gore is probable for the 49ers after spraining his ankle in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks.
Favre has been extremely efficient through two games, even if Minnesota has racked up wins against the likes of Cleveland and Detroit. The spokesman for Wrangler Jeans is 37-of-48 for 265 yards with three touchdowns thus far, as he’s deferred to the gameplan and Peterson’s place in the offense.
Oddsmakers opened the Vikes as 8-point chalk, but action on the Niners has the spread between -6.5 and -7.5 at most outlets through early Saturday morning. The total has fallen since the early of number of 41, and is now on the board at 39 to 40.5 depending on the sportsbook.
Looking back just two short weeks ago before the 2009 NFL season kicked off, Week 3's meeting between the Niners and Vikings in Minnesota probably didn't jump off the schedule as being a crucial contest between a pair of 2-0 teams. That's what it is however, as Shaun Hill leads San Francisco into the Metrodome as touchdown underdogs to face Brett Favre and the Vikes in one of the early games on FOX.
It’s only Week 3, but taking a look back at preseason opinions of analysts and handicappers alike reveals a different reality than the one currently faced by NFL bettors. New England, Pittsburgh, and San Diego were supposed to be the class of the AFC, but all three have stumbled out of the gate to some degree.
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets (-3, 37)
Sunday, Sep 27, 1:00 p.m. (ET) CBS
The Titans (0-2, 1-1 ATS) are also one of the teams expected to do well according to preseason prognosticators, but they’ve been unimpressive through two weeks. Next up for Tennessee are the Jets (2-0, 2-0 ATS), who find themselves in first place in the AFC East heading into Week 3.
Jeff Fisher’s team is having trouble stopping the pass, which wasn’t the concern after losing defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth in the offseason. The Titans gave up 357 yards through the air in their 34-31 loss against Houston (+6.5) last week, failing to cover despite leading by 14 points at one point.
The good news for Tennessee backers is the team’s running game is rolling. Chris Johnson ran for 197 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns last week, while also hauling in nine passes for 87 yards with a score for the Titans.
Tennessee might have trouble moving the ball against New York, which stifled New England 16-9 at home last week, cashing as 3.5-point home underdogs. New head coach Rex Ryan appears to have instilled some good habits with the defense, which was also the key in the Jets’ 24-7 payday as 4.5-point pups at Houston in Week 1.
The line has settled pretty much where it opened earlier in the week, although one reputable book has the Titans giving only a point to the Jets. Overall, 52% of plays on the matchup have come in on Tennessee, so oddsmakers have to be happy about the potential returns for their employers.
New York (+5.5) ripped Tennessee 34-13 when the teams met last season at LP Field, but that was when some guy named Brett Favre ran the Jets’ offense.
San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (-6.5, 39)
Sunday, Sep 27, 1:00 p.m. FOX
The only battle of undefeated teams this week goes down at the Metrodome, as the Vikings (2-0, 2-0 ATS) tackle the upstart 49ers (2-0, 2-0 ATS) on Sunday.
This is a good test for San Francisco, which prides itself on hard-nosed defense and running the ball. Minnesota has to be considered one of the best at rushing the football and stopping the ground game, so we’ll see what the Niners are made of this week.
San Fran (-1) rumbled for 256 rushing yards in its 23-10 win over Seattle last week at Candlestick Park. Frank Gore finished with 207 yards on 16 attempts with two TDs for the Niners, while San Francisco held the Seahawks to only 66 rushing yards of their own.
The Vikes sport the best in the business in Adrian Peterson, who was pedestrian by his lofty standards last week against Detroit. Peterson had 92 yards on the ground in Minnesota’s 27-13 payday as 10-point chalk at Ford Field last Sunday, when the Vikings trailed 10-7 at halftime.
All the little nicks and bruises are already affecting both teams heading into this week’s game, and Minny can’t be surprised because Brett Favre is its quarterback. Favre (bent fingernail) is probable for the Vikes, while both Peterson (back) and Percy Harvin (illness) are also expected to play. Gore is probable for the 49ers after spraining his ankle in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks.
Favre has been extremely efficient through two games, even if Minnesota has racked up wins against the likes of Cleveland and Detroit. The spokesman for Wrangler Jeans is 37-of-48 for 265 yards with three touchdowns thus far, as he’s deferred to the gameplan and Peterson’s place in the offense.
Oddsmakers opened the Vikes as 8-point chalk, but action on the Niners has the spread between -6.5 and -7.5 at most outlets through early Saturday morning. The total has fallen since the early of number of 41, and is now on the board at 39 to 40.5 depending on the sportsbook.