Posted on
12/16/2007 3:16:10 PM
NFL Monday Night Free Picks - Bears vs. Vikings
By Tim Furious
In a divisional matchup of last year’s Superbowl loser and the new beloved underdog in the NFL, the Vikings are the heavy home favorites. Can Chicago’s defense resurrect itself against the high-octane, battering rams of Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor? The Vikings need to keep winning to stay alive in the heated NFC wildcard race as they try to keep pace with the Giants.
Chicago Offense vs. Minnesota Defense
If there are any
Chicago betting faithful left, they must have not read the news that Kyle Orton is the starting quarterback for Chicago this week. Orton has yet to play a game this year, but was 10-5 SU in 2005. During that year, he averaged a 51.6 completion percentage, threw for 1,869 yards and had 9 scores offset up 13 interceptions. His last game, ironically was a 34-10 loss to Minnesota.
The Vikings secondary is presumably an easy team to throw on, but the stats are misleading. They have the worst pass yards against average, giving up 273.3 yards per game. However, they also have 24 takeaways on defense, including 15 interceptions. You can bet that these vultures will be ball hungry against a very rusty Kyle Orton.
The rushing defense for Minnesota surrenders only 70.7 yards per game and neither of the remaining backs for Chicago strike fear in to the hearts of man. Chicago’s inability to get a push off the line of scrimmage in the trenches has caused their rushing attack to sputter to 82.0 yards per game. Neither Adrian Peterson nor Garrett Wolfe have what it takes to break a big one off against this strong defense.
Minnesota Offense vs. Chicago Defense
Even with the Niners shocking the world by shutting down Adrian Peterson, Chester Taylor did a fine job, as he always does, in picking up the slack. On only eight carries, Taylor had 101 yards and a touchdown. The tremendous front line of Steven Hutchinson and the offensive line has gutted defenses, allowing the Vikings to average an astounding 172.2 yards per game. Chicago gives up 123.2 rushing yards, so the Minnesota betting faithful can keep their faith behind Minnesota’s rushing attack.
Tavaris Jackson has properly embraced his role as game manager, and has balanced the Minnesota passing game with 164.4 pass yards on average. In the last four games, he has been held to twenty-five passes or less, thrown four touchdowns and only two picks. And all those games have been victories. Chicago allows 231.9 passing yards and will remain so intently focused on the rushing attack of Minnesota that Jackson will expose their defensive backs for short gains to keep them slightly honest.
NFL Betting Trends
-Chicago is 5-14 ATS in its last 19 games
-Chicago is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Minnesota
-Minnesota is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games
-Total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games
Final Verdict
Minnesota is bringing all the pieces together at the right time. Brad Childress is sending Christmas cards to all the NFL teams that let Peterson slip to him in the 2007 NFL Draft. Believe it or not, Minnesota has outscored their opposition by an average of 20.7 points during their blazing four game win streak. Expect the Bears to come out strong, but for Kyle Orton to collapse as Minnesota runs the score once more. With the Vikings at 7-4-2 ATS on the season, their betting bandwagon is getting full. Hop on without hesitation.
Chicago Bears (5-8) vs. Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
Monday, December 17th --- Metrodome, Minneapolis --- 8:30pm EST
Opening NFL Betting Line: Minnesota -8.5 (43)
NFL Betting Free Pick: Chicago 14 Minnesota 27
> > Check Week 15 Odds Here
The 2007 NFL betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting. The BetUS sportsbook has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well. Join BetUS today and we'll help guide you right through to Super Bowl XLII and beyond!