Posted on
10/20/2007 1:26:55 PM
NFL Betting – Can the Vikings Beat Dallas?
By Russell Edward
The Minnesota Vikings come into Week 7 of this NFL betting season ranked 12th in offense and 25th in defense. But that is not the whole story. Broken down into the running and passing game, you can see that this is a tale of two teams in one.
The Vikes have the number one rushing attack in the NFL, thanks to rookie sensation and early candidate for rookie of the year, Adrian Peterson. In his first five games, he has taken the Vikings rushing attack to new levels not seen since Robert Smith retired at the top of his game after the 2000 season. He is not, however, the only part of the Vikings rushing game that is playing very well – Minnesota’s run defense ranks second in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings +10 at Dallas Cowboys -10
At plus eleven in net points with a 2-3 record, the Vikings can stop the run and establish the run. If they can do a little bit better in their passing game, they could be a surprise to a whole lot of us football betting fanatics.
Now, that passing game is exactly the opposite of their team strength, as quarterback Tavaris Jackson ranks 48th among QBs who have played in the NFL this season, by QB rating. Minnesota’s receivers have only caught 43 passes in their five games. Mind you, Kelly Holcomb was the passer in two of those tilts. However, with Cowboys CB Anthony Henry looking like he will not play, and with Dallas being ranked just 24th overall against the pass, this could turn into a different game than some suspect.
Wade Philips said that he tried to stop the Patriots from winning with their running game last week, and allowed Tom Brady to beat him. That shows why Philips will never be known for long periods as a good coach, even in Dallas. He will do the same against the Vikings, but that may not be good enough against Peterson.
If Peterson gets a good start and Jackson does not get flustered at the flurry of blitzes he will see early the Cowboys will be forced to play honest D. Jackson, who is a starter in the NFL for a reason, will then get his chance to show why he belongs. If he can take advantage, the Vikes could pull off an upset. Even if they don’t, ten points is a good buy against a Dallas team who barely beat Buffalo two weeks ago.
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