NFL Betting With Playoff Implications Giants @ Vikings
The New York Giants (12-3 SU, 11-4 ATS, 8-6-1 O/U) rebounded nicely from consecutive defeats in its most important game of the season, covering the spread for BetUS NFL sports betting enthusiasts as an added bonus. The Minnesota Vikings (9-6 SU, 6-9 ATS, 9-6 O/U) on the other hand, failed to win its biggest game of the season last week and blew their chances to reach the postseason with Chicago’s win on Monday night.
Both teams will be looking to pick up a victory in their 2008 regular season finale when they meet at the Metrodome on Sunday.
The Giants recorded a solid 34-28 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers, covering the spread in the BetUS Sportsbook as a 4-point home favorite on Sunday.
Quarterback Eli Manning completed 17 of 27 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown, but it was New York’s powerful rushing attack that wore down the Panthers.
“It’s great for our fans to be able to play here at Giants Stadium,” Manning said. “You never know what the weather is going to be like here. We’re used to playing in those cold and windy games and I would like to think we would have the advantage in some of those. I think it will be fun playing the games at home.”
While bruising starter Brandon Jacobs scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime for New York, it was Derrick Ward that really lit up Carolina, rushing for a whopping 215 yards on just 15 carries in the win.
“The last two weeks we’ve been disgraceful running the ball,” said Ward, whose total was the fourth highest in Giants’ history. “We’ve had our doubters, that we hit our peak in the past. We knew that we could run the ball. That’s what the New York Giants are. We run the ball.”
The Vikings blew a golden opportunity to win the NFC North by losing to the entertaining Atlanta Falcons 20-13 last week despite being a 3-point home favorite last week.
Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed 23 of 36 passes for 233 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions, hooking up with wide receiver Visanthe Shiancoe seven times for 136 yards with two touchdowns.
The Vikings lost simply because they could not take care of the ball, committing a whopping seven fumbles, while losing four.
The league’s leading rusher, Adrian Peterson, was held to 76 yards. He lost a fumble inside the Atlanta 20, another one on a botched handoff from Jackson and had one more that he recovered on the final drive.
“I’m hurting right now. It’s killing me,” Peterson said. “We had a chance to win the NFC North, and we did everything to screw it up today. Including me. Turnovers and things like that. We can’t have that. So I’m very disappointed right now.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Free Pick.
NY Giants are 16-2 SU in their last 18 games on the road
NY Giants are 13-2 ATS in their last 15 games on the road
NY Giants are 16-3 SU in their last 19 games
NY Giants are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota’s last 9 games
Minnesota is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games at home
NFL Odds
New York Giants +6½ -110
Minnesota Vikings -6½ -110
Over 42 -110
Under 42 -110
Analysis: This requires some guesswork for NFL sports betting fanatics as the Vikings have a playoff spot to play for while the Giants will want to head into the postseason on a high note.
Take the G-Men to cover on the road.
NFL Free Picks: Giants +6 ½ Points/Over 42 Total Points
