NFL Betting Predictions – Vikings vs Falcons
It is safe to say that things haven’t turned out as expected for Minnesota this year. They opened the season with 4 straight losses which sucked the wind out of the franchise and quickly turned this year into a rebuilding one.
Minnesota Vikings vs Atlanta Falcons
Georgia Dome Atlanta, GA
Sunday November 27 – 1:00PM
Moneyline: Atlanta -440, Minnesota +350
Spread (ATS): Atlanta -10.5
Over/Under: 44
Odds courtesy of 5Dimes
Minnesota
They have competed most of the time but in their last two road games they have been absolutely demolished. Visits to Green Bay and Chicago are never fun. Visiting the Georgia Dome isn’t nearly as daunting.
For the Vikings, despite having pretty good parts, the whole is not that impressive. On offense they have a top running back in Adrian Peterson and a nifty receiver in Percy Harvin but still go through stretches where they really struggle to move the ball. Part of that is poor QB play and part of it is not. On defense, this team is in the middle of the pack in terms of yards allowed, but near the bottom in points. They have difficulty stiffening in crucial situations.
As of this moment Adrian Peterson is doubtful for the contest on Sunday. I don’t want to say that is a good thing but with the state the team is in maybe it is as it shakes things up a little. Backup Toby Gerhart has a different style and his high energy approach might be just what the team needs to put forth a maximum effort on Sunday. They have to change up something so being forced might be a great catalyst. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Atlanta
Atlanta has had a nice rebound after a slow start. They have won 4 of their last 5 games with the lone defeat being a heartbreaker against New Orleans. Because of that loss they have to have keep winning to put pressure on the Saints. This is a game they just have to have with the rest of the schedule is pretty favourable in terms of making a strong playoff push.
The Falcons made a big splash at the draft believing they were just one play away from being a title contender. Rookie receiver Julio Jones has shown flashes of brilliance but has been hurt just as often and that injury, and others, has revealed the shallow nature of the roster. Still when this team is going they can be very impressive. Matty Ice can be a difference maker at QB.
NFL games get harder and harder to predict when teams start to have nothing to play for…especially when those teams are matched with teams that have lots to lose. From a distance this looks like a blowout and the spread is one of the larger from the weekend. That makes me a bit nervous, especially that half point which offers some value on the Minnesota side.
ATS Pick: Minnesota +10.5
Over/Under Pick: Over
Score Prediction: Atlanta 31 – Minnesota 21
