Originally posted by Maxlock
Minnesota @ Philadelphia: PICK VIKINGS +14.5 (odds off sportsbook.com 12:00 noon)
From a pure numbers standpoint its hard to against the Eagles. But games are not won by talent and stats alone. They are won but who plays with the most focus and effort. Now I'm not saying the Vikings will win this straight up, but I am giving them the edge for the 14.5 cover. I know what you're thinking, the Eagles are still fighting for the 2nd seed in the NFC so they'll be playing hard in this one, but I really don'y see them paying 100% all four quarters. For starters how seriously will the take a 5-9 Vikings team with an interm head coach with rookie Job Webb under center? Now that Joe Webb has had 2 full weeks of practice with the starters I think he'll do alright. Running backs Adrian Peterson will be back for this game and I expect him to have a pretty solid game. His carries may be limited coming back from an injury, but capable back up Toby Gerhard averages a solid 4.0 yards per carry. On the outsides the Vikings still have Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice along with Shiancoe at the TE position. I fully expect the Vikings to score at least between 21-28 points in this one. The Eagles have a mediocre defense, along with the worst red zone defense in the league (Tds to FG ratio in the red zone) They'll be missing starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley who is one of the best run stoppers in the league, so expect the Vikings the pound the ball often. Phily will also be missing safety Nate Allen in this one. With Webb's strong arm I am sure they'll be taking several shots downfield to Sydney Rice.
On Phily's offensive side of the ball there really isn't much to discuss in depth. We all know what they're capable of.
Going back to my argument about teams that are "superior" but failed to win or cover the spread. I'll focus on just this weeks games:
1) Dallas -7 @ Arizona- Cards win outright
2) San Diego -9 @ Cincy- Bengals win outright
3) Washington +7 Jacksonville-Skins win outright
Dallas is clearly superior from a statistically standpoint to Arizona, but the focus and effort lacked in the first quarter and that ultimately led to their defeat. SD and Jax NEEDED to win their respective games to stay in the playoff hunt, but without focus and 100% effort they both got beaten by worse teams.
All in all I think the extra two days off will go against the Phily. Often times a good offense that's in rhythm could be disrupted with situations such as these. In the end in doesn't come down to talent. It goes down to which team is the most focused, disciplined and gives the best effort, something the Vikings will have more of tonight. About 80% of the money will be on the Eagles tonight, fade the public and bet the
Vikings +14.5
From a pure numbers standpoint its hard to against the Eagles. But games are not won by talent and stats alone. They are won but who plays with the most focus and effort. Now I'm not saying the Vikings will win this straight up, but I am giving them the edge for the 14.5 cover. I know what you're thinking, the Eagles are still fighting for the 2nd seed in the NFC so they'll be playing hard in this one, but I really don'y see them paying 100% all four quarters. For starters how seriously will the take a 5-9 Vikings team with an interm head coach with rookie Job Webb under center? Now that Joe Webb has had 2 full weeks of practice with the starters I think he'll do alright. Running backs Adrian Peterson will be back for this game and I expect him to have a pretty solid game. His carries may be limited coming back from an injury, but capable back up Toby Gerhard averages a solid 4.0 yards per carry. On the outsides the Vikings still have Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice along with Shiancoe at the TE position. I fully expect the Vikings to score at least between 21-28 points in this one. The Eagles have a mediocre defense, along with the worst red zone defense in the league (Tds to FG ratio in the red zone) They'll be missing starting middle linebacker Stewart Bradley who is one of the best run stoppers in the league, so expect the Vikings the pound the ball often. Phily will also be missing safety Nate Allen in this one. With Webb's strong arm I am sure they'll be taking several shots downfield to Sydney Rice.
On Phily's offensive side of the ball there really isn't much to discuss in depth. We all know what they're capable of.
Going back to my argument about teams that are "superior" but failed to win or cover the spread. I'll focus on just this weeks games:
1) Dallas -7 @ Arizona- Cards win outright
2) San Diego -9 @ Cincy- Bengals win outright
3) Washington +7 Jacksonville-Skins win outright
Dallas is clearly superior from a statistically standpoint to Arizona, but the focus and effort lacked in the first quarter and that ultimately led to their defeat. SD and Jax NEEDED to win their respective games to stay in the playoff hunt, but without focus and 100% effort they both got beaten by worse teams.
All in all I think the extra two days off will go against the Phily. Often times a good offense that's in rhythm could be disrupted with situations such as these. In the end in doesn't come down to talent. It goes down to which team is the most focused, disciplined and gives the best effort, something the Vikings will have more of tonight. About 80% of the money will be on the Eagles tonight, fade the public and bet the
Vikings +14.5
P.S. sorry about some of those typos in the analysis. I typed up that analysis on a computer where the spell check wasn't working.
..I was getting use to winning weeks. Week 17 I promise you guys I will have a winning record!
