Minnesota vs Baltimore NFL Handicapping
The Baltimore Ravens will look to get a little closer to securing its postseason spot with a win over the visiting Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday.
When: Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013 at 1 p.m. EST
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
TV: FOX
LINE: -7 (Ravens), O/U 42.5
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Matt Cassel is expected get the start for the Vikings after throwing for 243 yards in relief of quarterback Christian Ponder, who left the game against the Bears last week after suffering a concussion.
Minnesota (3-8-1) arrives in Baltimore 0-5-1 on the road this season, facing the Ravens who have only lost one of six and allow just 12.3 points per game on its home turf.
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Nevertheless, the Vikings will be carrying some momentum from last week’s 23-20 overtime win against the visiting Bears, which was led by running back Adrian Peterson who rushed for 211 yards, and Blair Walsh, who kicked three field goals – including a 30-yarder to force overtime and a 34-yarder to end it.
Peterson’s once-quiet season has picked up with 357 rushing yards over the past two games and his 1,208 yards are the most in the NFL.
Meanwhile, Baltimore is looking for its first three-game winning streak of the 2013 campaign, and will hope to contain Peterson and Cassel, who is starting for the first time since Oct. 13.
The Ravens (6-6) may not be the highest scoring team in the NFL, but they get the job done defensively, and rank 6th in the league against the rush at 100.1 yards per game, even in the post-Ray-Lewis era.
However, its going to monumental task limiting Peterson’s production, so they Ravens offense, which is led by wide receiver Torrey Smith, who is 48 yards shy of his first career 1,000-yard season and quarterback Joe Flacco, who has tossed 15 touchdown passes, will have to step it up in this one of they want to walk off the field with a win.
Matt’s Free Prediction
Peterson rushed for 143 yards when the Vikings beat the Ravens 33-31 in their most recent meeting back in 2009, with Brett Favre under center. But I expect the Baltimore defense to do a good job corralling the wily running back, snatching a much needed win to stay in the AFC playoff race.
Ravens 20, Vikings 13
