Patriots spread favorites at home amidst Brett Favre drama
Is Brett Favre's 291-game streak about to end? The latest news in the QB's saga is a busted up ankle as the Vikings prepare to make the trek to New England.
Brett Favre’s status is uncertain for the Minnesota Vikings’ matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium (4:15 p.m. ET, FOX), and that could be a good thing for Vikes backers.
An MRI scan following Minnesota’s 28-24 loss at Green Bay (-2½) in the Sunday nighter revealed both an avulsion and stress fracture in Favre’s surgically repaired left ankle. Favre is in a walking boot, and it’s unclear if he’ll be under center on Sunday.
Under normal circumstances, sportsbooks would have pulled the line off the NFL betting odds board, but this is Favre we’re talking about. In addition to being a drama queen, Favre has played 291 consecutive games. Favre sitting out? We’ll believe it when we see it.
Thing is, a week off could be just what Favre, the Vikings (2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS), and their bettors need at the moment.
The latest injury (it was the right elbow heading into Lambeau Field, remember) is a welcome distraction to the NFL’s investigation into his relationship with a former Jets sideline reporter.
It’s also a distraction from, if not a reason for, Favre’s poor play this season. Favre was picked off three times in Minnesota’s loss to Green Bay to bring his league-leading total to 10 interceptions through only five games.
Favre can’t complain he doesn’t have weapons around him. Yes, Sidney Rice has yet to play after having hip surgery in the offseason, but Favre has Randy Moss, Percy Harvin, and Adrian Peterson at his disposal.
As if this game needed another story angle, this is Moss’ first game in New England since the Patriots (5-1 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) dealt him to Minnesota for a third-round pick three weeks ago.
Moss plays better when motivated, and while he’s facing a New England defense that ranks only 29th overall (379.7 YPG) and 30th against the pass (282.0 YPG), he still needs a quarterback that can get him the ball.
Moss’ options on Sunday don’t look particularly rosy. Either Favre will limp out there and give it his best on a broken ankle, or Tarvaris Jackson will get first start of the season on the road against one of the best teams in the NFL.
My guess is we’ll get a little of column ‘A’ and a little of column ‘B.’ I expect Favre to start, but I have my doubts he’ll finish the game, either because of injury or ineffectiveness.
After all, Brad Childress was close to pulling Favre on Sunday night when things weren’t going well against the Packers. If Favre is seriously banged-up/playing like it’s time to retire, there’s no need to have him in there if New England is in control of the game.
All of this considered, there’s no reason to put money on the Vikings as 5- or 5½-point underdogs in this spot. To boot, the Pats are 2-1-1 ATS during a current four-game SU winning streak, and the Vikes have yet to cover the number away from the Metrodome this season (0-3 ATS).
I’m not validating New England as much as I’m fading Minny. The Patriots were fortunate to slip past San Diego 23-20 at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday after leading 23-6 early in the fourth quarter, as they blew the payday – and nearly the game outright – as 3-point chalk.
If there’s good news for New England outside of the SU victory, it’s that it continues to lead the NFL in scoring (29.5 PPG) despite an offense that ranks just 19th in total yards (325.0 YPG).
In adjusting to a Moss-less offense, Tom Brady and the Patriots are leaning on a two-TE set to do most of their damage. New England ran 51 of its 65 plays from scrimmage using two or more tight ends against the Chargers, and Brady posted a 94.1 passer rating when using said formations.
The total for Sunday’s game is set at 43½ or 44 depending on the outlet.
Is Brett Favre's 291-game streak about to end? The latest news in the QB's saga is a busted up ankle as the Vikings prepare to make the trek to New England.
Brett Favre’s status is uncertain for the Minnesota Vikings’ matchup with the New England Patriots on Sunday afternoon at Gillette Stadium (4:15 p.m. ET, FOX), and that could be a good thing for Vikes backers.
An MRI scan following Minnesota’s 28-24 loss at Green Bay (-2½) in the Sunday nighter revealed both an avulsion and stress fracture in Favre’s surgically repaired left ankle. Favre is in a walking boot, and it’s unclear if he’ll be under center on Sunday.
Under normal circumstances, sportsbooks would have pulled the line off the NFL betting odds board, but this is Favre we’re talking about. In addition to being a drama queen, Favre has played 291 consecutive games. Favre sitting out? We’ll believe it when we see it.
Thing is, a week off could be just what Favre, the Vikings (2-4 SU, 2-4 ATS), and their bettors need at the moment.
The latest injury (it was the right elbow heading into Lambeau Field, remember) is a welcome distraction to the NFL’s investigation into his relationship with a former Jets sideline reporter.
It’s also a distraction from, if not a reason for, Favre’s poor play this season. Favre was picked off three times in Minnesota’s loss to Green Bay to bring his league-leading total to 10 interceptions through only five games.
Favre can’t complain he doesn’t have weapons around him. Yes, Sidney Rice has yet to play after having hip surgery in the offseason, but Favre has Randy Moss, Percy Harvin, and Adrian Peterson at his disposal.
As if this game needed another story angle, this is Moss’ first game in New England since the Patriots (5-1 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) dealt him to Minnesota for a third-round pick three weeks ago.
Moss plays better when motivated, and while he’s facing a New England defense that ranks only 29th overall (379.7 YPG) and 30th against the pass (282.0 YPG), he still needs a quarterback that can get him the ball.
Moss’ options on Sunday don’t look particularly rosy. Either Favre will limp out there and give it his best on a broken ankle, or Tarvaris Jackson will get first start of the season on the road against one of the best teams in the NFL.
My guess is we’ll get a little of column ‘A’ and a little of column ‘B.’ I expect Favre to start, but I have my doubts he’ll finish the game, either because of injury or ineffectiveness.
After all, Brad Childress was close to pulling Favre on Sunday night when things weren’t going well against the Packers. If Favre is seriously banged-up/playing like it’s time to retire, there’s no need to have him in there if New England is in control of the game.
All of this considered, there’s no reason to put money on the Vikings as 5- or 5½-point underdogs in this spot. To boot, the Pats are 2-1-1 ATS during a current four-game SU winning streak, and the Vikes have yet to cover the number away from the Metrodome this season (0-3 ATS).
I’m not validating New England as much as I’m fading Minny. The Patriots were fortunate to slip past San Diego 23-20 at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday after leading 23-6 early in the fourth quarter, as they blew the payday – and nearly the game outright – as 3-point chalk.
If there’s good news for New England outside of the SU victory, it’s that it continues to lead the NFL in scoring (29.5 PPG) despite an offense that ranks just 19th in total yards (325.0 YPG).
In adjusting to a Moss-less offense, Tom Brady and the Patriots are leaning on a two-TE set to do most of their damage. New England ran 51 of its 65 plays from scrimmage using two or more tight ends against the Chargers, and Brady posted a 94.1 passer rating when using said formations.
The total for Sunday’s game is set at 43½ or 44 depending on the outlet.
