New England at Minnesota

One of our two big 4-star plays last week was on the Vikings getting 6.5 against the Seahawks. They went out an trounced Seattle 31-13. Are they getting respect now? Not enough. There is a new word circulating through Minnesota, and it is called "defense." Something that has been missing for quite some time. There is also something else that has changed, and that is an offense that is less predictable, and much lower risk. Culpepper to Moss was what this offense was all about in years past, but now we have Brad Johnson, connecting on 63% with just 4 picks, and spreading the ball around. Brad Childress has brought a defense to go with it, and the Vikings have become a balanced team, on both sides of the ball. The Bears did not get into the endzone for 58 minutes, and the way that team has been lighting up the scoreboard, one needs to take notice. New England is coming in with a 3-0 road mark, but truly has not been tested the way they will be here. The 3-0 is made up of trips to NY vs the Jets ranked #30 in defense, to Cinncinnati (ranked #18), and to Buffalo (ranked #14). The two solid defenses this team has faced (the true indicator as to what to expect here) were Denver (#4) and Miami (#6). Versus the Broncos, the Pats were held to 7 points at home, and vs. Miami, also at home, they had just 13 points midway through the 4th quarter. Minnesota is ranked #7, and this is a place, be it Sunday afternoon or Monday night, at which it is very difficult to win. The Vikes have a long standing attitude about the underdog role in their building. They have answered to the tune of 21-7-1 ATS and 16-13 SU as dog. New England is a pretty banged up team, with 12 players listed as questionable, including Tom Brady with an ailing shoulder. The hype, the public, the 3-0 road record, the 5-1 start by New England makes this an even more inviting spot for Minnesota - a team the public is not yet backing. The Vikings have met teams in this dog role that are a combined 126-44, while the Vikes teams that compiled this mark were just 86-85. The best part of it is that they save their best for the best! Take a look at the last 10 games in which they were instilled as home dogs to some great teams with great records coming in: Kansas City (12-2 and 10-4), Green Bay (8-1 and 4-1, 3-0), Denver (10-1), San Francisco (13-2, 11-2, 13-2) and Chicago (9-1). Those have been the best 10, and guess what? 10-0 ATS and 7-3 SU! Now New England comes in 5-1? Wrong spot for New England. This is a better Minnesota team, and they will be ready to bring it! Vikes here.