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Free NFL Picks: Vikings vs. Rams Gambling Lines & Preview

Week 1 Odds: Minnesota vs St. Louis

The Minnesota Vikings head on the road in week 1 to play the St. Louis Rams at Edward Jones Stadium. I’d like to mention that Cappers Picks will be providing free NFL picks all season, so come back.

Minnesota is taking heavy action now that Sam Bradford has been injured during the preseason, but the Rams are a strong team at home. Both of these teams are unlikely to make a playoff run.

Week 1 NFL Picks

When: Sunday, Sept 7th 2014 at 1:00pm ET
Where: Edwards Jones Stadium
TV: FOX
NFL Week 1 Gambling Line: Rams –3.5
NFL Week 1 Gambling O/U Line: 43.5 Points

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Click here to view… NFL ATS Stats & NFL Betting Angles!

The NFL is a pass happy league and the one thing that Vikings don’t have is a franchise QB. Well, unless of course Teddy Bridgewater develops into one. The good news for MIN fans is that Bradford is out.

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Shaun Hill will be filling in for Bradford to start the season, but don’t be surprised to see multiple QB’s get starts by the end of the season for St. Louis. Hill isn’t the answer and they’ll find that out quickly.

I expect this game to come down to which RB has success running the football. Adrian Peterson is the best RB in the league in terms of rushing, but Zac Stacy is young and looked great as a rookie.

Last season the Rams defense allowed 102.9 RYPG (9th) while the Vikings allowed 110.4 RYPG (16th). STL has a strong d-line that’s led by the two defensive ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long.

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The Vikings front seven under whelmed last season and let go of veterans Jared Allen and Kevin Williams, but they also added the massive Linval Joseph who is excellent at stopping the run due to his size.

Matt Cassel is better than Hill, but both QB’s are lacking weapons. Minnesota will rely on Norv Turner to breathe some life into this offense. He loves involving his TE’s, so Kyle Rudolph has to be happy.

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Hill has limited weapons at receiver as well. The Vikings secondary was one of the worst last season, but they added skill to multiple positions in the secondary and they’ll be better this year because of that.

NFL football betting trends

  • Vikings are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NFC.
  • Vikings are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games on turf.
  • Rams are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
  • Rams are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games in Week 1.
  • Over is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in St. Louis.
  • Over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
  • Favorite is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.

Free NFL Football Pick: Vikings vs. Rams

The Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their L6 games while the Rams are 5-1 ATS in their L6 at home. St. Louis has had a lot of slow starts to the regular season in year’s past, as they’re 1-6 ATS in their L7 week 1 games.

4* Play On Minnesota Vikings +3.5 (-110)

Minnesota is also a turf team, so the Rams won’t have an edge on their turf. I don’t expect either of these offenses to have success airing it out and I’ll bet on Peterson over Stacy all day long.

I’m surprised that there is a hook on this point spread with Bradford out. The Rams defense is good, but if the offense can’t score they’re going to have another season no matter how good the defense plays.

Check out our Updated NFL Football Week 1 Odds.

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By Scott Jack

Scott is new to Cappers Picks, but has been in the industry for 7 years and he’s only 25 years old. He lives in Toronto, Canada and bleeds blue and white. He grew up playing sports and still has a love for the competitiveness.