There is a fair amount of value in playing the UNDER in this interconference matchup. The Vikings are one of the league’s strongest defensive teams. Last year they ranked 4th in sacks (45), were tied for 3rd in forced fumbles (22) and ranked first in rushing yards allowed (76.8). They ranked 18th for passing yards allowed (215.6) but managed to improve significantly from 2007 when they were dead last allowing an average of 264.5 passing yards.
The bottom line is that Minnesota’s defense will be too strong for Cleveland’s mediocre offense that managed to score only 14.5 points per game last season. There is no doubt that Cleveland will definitely be better than last year under new head coach Eric Mangini and 2 healthy starting quarterbacks, but they still have a long way to go. Mangini is a defensive genius and will focus his efforts heavily on controlling the clock and strengthening his defense. The addition of Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings does not turn this team into an offensive powerhouse but definitely gives the Vikings the opportunity to be a Super Bowl Contender. It is quite obvious that Favre is not the same QB as he was in his Green Bay era but he can help the Vikings win games by making simple completions, and obviously by not throwing interceptions. Minnesota’s offense will still rely heavily on Adrian Peterson as Favre will have to adjust to the Vikings playbook. In the end, both teams will be heavily running the ball in this matchup. This game will be heavily concentrated on field position. I can’t see too many touchdowns being scored in this one.
There are a few trends favoring the UNDER in this one. UNDER is 8-3 in Cleveland’s last 11 home games and 5-1 in its last 6 Week 1 contests. UNDER is 7-3-1 in Minnesota’s last 11 games in September. Lay 2 units on the UNDER. Check out all of our NFL picks.
This is a free pick that is available to the public. In order to access our restricted picks you must become a member of Unlocked Sport
Free Pick:UNDER 43.5 (2 units)
This AFC week 1 matchup presents a decent opportunity to cash in on the UNDER. First off, both teams are starting quarterbacks who are returning from injury. Carson Palmer missed the last 3 preseason games with a sprained ankle, while Kyle Orton was listed as questionable since he injured his index finger on his throwing hand.
Due to the significance of the injury, one can expect Orton to have a tough time hitting his targets. The Broncos are in a transition period right now under new coach Josh McDaniels. The team is adjusting to McDaniels’ playbook and has a new face at QB. As a result the team will not be as productive offensively this season as it has over the past few seasons with Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler. The fact that rookie starting RB Knowshon Mereno missed all of preseason with an injury and that WR Brandon Marshall was suspended for all of preseason due to conduct detrimental to the team evidently does not help either. The Bengals are definitely in a better position to win this game then the Broncos. However, there are several things to consider when determining the efficiency of their offense for the first game of the season. Is Carson Palmer going to be back to his old self? Has he completely recovered from last year’s elbow injury and his ankle sprain in the preseason? Will Ochocinco rebound from last year? How will the Bengals’ passing game fare without Houshmanzadeh? I know that the Broncos are not a defensive powerhouse but I just can’t see Cincinnati’s offense lighting up the scoreboard in the first week of action.
Lay 2 units on the UNDER. Check out all of our NFL picks.
This is a free pick that is available to the public. In order to access our restricted picks you must become a member of Unlocked Sports. Sign up and benefit from our free membership for a limited time only!
Unlocked Sports NFL Week 1 (fp)
Reply With Quote