At the beginning of the year, this looked like it would be a great game. But now, two of the league's most disappointing teams matchup in a contest that really doesn't matter much. It is often these types of games that offer great underdog value.
Minnesota notched their first win of the season last week with an impressive come-from-behind win against an up-and-coming Lions team. For the first time this season, the Vikings and their fans and media spent a positive week focusing on win instead of on Randy Mosses' off-field problems. It's just what the doctor ordered.
Although both teams are 1-4, and both defenses equally horrible, they are not equal when it comes to offense. While the Jets' offense subscribes to the notion that misery loves company (their offense is 28th in the league to match their second-to-last defense), Minnesota is scoring 26 points a game (a very respectable 8th in the NFL).
The Jets, with the second-worst rushing offense in the league, are one dimensional. That should allow a normally poor Vikings defense (flush with new-found confidence) to pin their ears back and go after a young Chad Pennington (second career start) to disrupt an already miserable Jets offense.
In their last four games, the Jets have been outscored 131-38. I'll take that and three points to the bank.