in NFL Props
Football Futures Betting - Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
by BetUS Staff
Sunday, November 30
BetUS NFL Betting Odds: MINNESOTA -3.5
NOTABLE STAT: Minnesota was first in rushing and defending the run in 2007
KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Vikings have won five of last six meetings at home
Two teams who may be going in different directions as they enter the 2008 season will do battle on Sunday, November 30 as the Minnesota Vikings (8-8 SU, 7-7-2 ATS in 2007) in what may, by that time, be a crucial NFC North division matchup. Game time for the special Sunday night contest, which will be played at the Metrodome in Minneapolis and televised on NBC, is 8:15 PM ET.
In the BetUS NFL betting odds, the Vikings are listed as a 3.5-point advance home favorite
Here are some NFL betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* CHI has covered five of its last eight games
* CHI has played five of its last seven games OVER the total
* CHI has covered four of its last six road games
* MINN has won five of its last seven games SU
* MINN has played eight of its last 13 games OVER the total
* MINN has won four of its last five home games SU
* MINN has played six of its last seven home games OVER the total
* MINN has won five of the last six meetings SU as the home team
* MINN has covered four of the last six meetings as the home team
As we "go to press," the NFL is investigate a possible tampering incident regarding Brett Favre, who had allegedly been having discussions with Vikings' offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell about getting his release and moving to that NFC North rival. If Favre winds up in Minneapolis, it would greatly impact the Vikings' ability to win this division, and this game as well. But the Favre-to-Minnesota move is not likely to happen, and surely the Packers would have no interest in trading Favre to this team.
What the does indicate, however, is that Vikings' coach Brad Childress is willing to explore alternatives to having to go through the season with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback. Jackson threw nine touchdown passes last season but also tossed 12 interceptions. Consequently, the Vikes will find themselves landlocked. But that's not really a bad place to be, when you have All-Pro Adrian Peterson and super-sub Chester Taylor, who had 1000 yards two years ago, available in the rotation, behind an offensive line with All-Pros like Matt Birk and Steve Hutchinson.
The Bears will be a ground-oriented team too, or at least they would like to be. Rex Grossman is again likely to be the starter, unless someone like Kyle Orton beats him out in training camp. Grossman is erratic and untrustworthy, and has a so-so wide receiver corps that lost Muhsin Muhammad and Bernard Berrian in the off-season.
Chicago's problems in the backfield are well-known. And since Cedric Benson, a disappointing former first-round draft choice, can't stay out of trouble off the field, the Bears might be looking for someone to hand the ball off to. Matt Forte and Garrett Wolfe were two super-achievers in college (at Tulane and Northern Illinois, respectively) who will be given every opportunity. But, this may be a work in progress.
In games like this, between teams with simple yet physical approaches, the team that is best able to control the line of scrimmage is often the one who comes out a winner. And you couldn't control the line of scrimmage much better than Minnesota did in 2007. Not only did the Vikings, behind Peterson and Taylor (Jackson chips in too) lead the league in rushing yards (164.6 ypg) and yards per rush (5.3), they also led the pack in rushing yards allowed (74.1 ypg) and ranked second to Baltimore in yards allowed per attempt (3.1). They have a big edge here. And then throw in that they traded for the NFL sack leader in Jared Allen, and they now have someone who can pressure Grossman into mistakes and make up for some blunders in the secondary, which admittedly has to improve.
On the offensive side, the Bears can be pushed around a little. And they have a hard time if they have to play catch-up. Let's also not forget that Peterson rambled for 224 yards against Chicago at Soldier Field last year. Minnesota is the more solid squad here, and they can put some distance between themselves and the befuddled Bears. We will lay the points with Minnesota, the 3.5-point favorite in the BetUS NFL football futures betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: MINNESOTA (-3.5)
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)
