Inconsistent Vikings Hit Road to Take On Disappointing Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6 SU, 3-7 ATS, 4-5-1 O/U) were pounded in a disheartening 24-14 home defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings (5-5 SU, 3-7 ATS, 6-4 O/U) are coming off an unimpressive 19-13 road loss to the Tampa Buccaneers on Sunday in the BetUS Sportsbook.
Now both unpredictable ballclubs will be looking to get back in the win column for BetUS NFL sports betting buffs when hey meet at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.
The Jaguars were handled with ease by the Titans after taking a 14-3 lead into the half. Jacksonville was held scoreless in the second half as quarterback David Garrard had another poor performance, completing just 13 of 30 passes for 135 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
“It’s absolutely as dismal an outlook as you can have and not be out,” head coach Jack Del Rio said after getting outscored 21-0 in the second half. “We’d have to win every one to have a chance to qualify. It’s a very remote possibility.”
Running back, Maurice Jones-Drew rushed for 66 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 carries while veteran, Fred Taylor added 58 yards on 12 carries.
“They (Tennessee) were definitely turning their dials up a little bit and we didn’t match it,” Garrard said. “That’s unfortunate because we had a perfect opportunity. We have to do a lot better than that, especially when the game’s on the line.”
Minnesota failed to cover the spread for backers as 4.5-point home road underdogs as the Bucs bottled up elusive running back Adrian Peterson, holding him to just 85 yards on 19 carries and more importantly, keeping him out of the end zone. Veteran quarterback Gus Frerotte had a modest day, completing 14 of 20 passes for 138 yards and one touchdown.
“Honestly, I thought the first half we did a pretty good job running the ball. But the second half, we didn’t have too many opportunities to run,” Peterson said. “It took us totally out of our game. I really think that was the difference.”
“Tough outcome. We knew that we’d have to come down here and play error-free football,” Vikings head coach Brad Childress said. “Probably the only positive is that we’ve got a chance to win the NFC North. Everybody is 5-5.”
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my analysis and NFL Free Picks.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Jacksonville’s last 22 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Jacksonville’s last 9 games at home
Jacksonville is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home
Jacksonville is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
NFL Odds
Minnesota Vikings +2½ -110
Jacksonville Jaguars -2½ -110
Over 40 -110
Under 40 -110
Analysis: Both teams in this matchup have been inconsistent ‘messes’ for the most part this season and have failed miserably for bettors, with each posting identical 3-7 ATS records.
Getting right to the point, I think this is a matchup the Jaguars will win and cover the spread in if they have any pride whatsoever.
The Vikings aren’t a ‘better’ team despite having a better straight up record at this point and Jacksonville has a solid defense that should be able to contain Adrian Peterson and limit Gus Frerotte.
Take the Jaguars to win and cover by the narrowest of margins.
