No Offense, But Titans, Vikings Both Look To Get Defensive
I told BetUS NFL Sportsbook wagering enthusiasts last week that Minnesota Vikings (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS, 1-2 O/U), head coach Brad Childress likely saved his team’s season when he benched young starting quarterback Tavaris Jackson in favor of veteran starter Gus Frerotte.
Frerotte didn’t disappoint as he led the Vikings to a surprising 20-10 win over the previously unbeaten Carolina Panthers on Sunday, helping the team avoid a disastrous 0-3 start that would have virtually assured them of missing out on the postseason this year.
“You can’t afford, in this league, to go 0-3,” Vikings defensive back Antoine Winfield said. “We put ourselves in a tough situation, but I think we battled back today and made a statement.”
Frerotte completed 16 of 28 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown the team’s first in seven quarters of play.
“I really don’t have any idea how they’re a 1-2 football team,” said Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.
While Minnesota’s offense wasn’t exactly prolific against a talented Panthers defensive unit, Minnesota’s defense pressured Delhomme into committing three fumbles and losing two of them.
Minnesota is ranked seventh in overall defense, allowing just 280.7 total yards of offense and are also ranked eighth in points allowed, giving up just 17.3 points per contest.
The Tennessee Titans (3-0 SU, 3-0 ATS, 1-2 O/U) laid an emphatic 31-12 smackdown on the Houston Texans on Sunday, just as I predicted in the BetUS Locker Room last week and enter this matchup with a spotless 3-0 record.
Much like the Vikings’ recent switch at quarterback, the Titans were forced to make a switch at quarterback once starter Vince Young went down with a knee injury following the team’s Week 1 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Again, I advised BetUS NFL Sportsbook online bettors I believed the Titans would be a better offensive unit with veteran Kerry Collins under center than they ever were under Young, who has yet to grasp the understanding of operating an offense from out of the pocket.
Collins completed 14 0f 26 passes for 189 yards and one touchdown, but it was Tennessee’s defense, which intercepted Houston starter Matt Schaub three times, that really got the job done.
Ranked just 18th in overall offense, the Titans have been a defensive juggernaut this season, ranking third in total yards allowed, (240.3) and first in points allowed, giving up a measly 9.7 points per contest.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my analysis and NFL Free Picks.
The Vikings are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
The Titans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games in September.
The Titans are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.
The Under is 22-6-1 in Vikings last 29 games following a ATS win.
The Under is 7-2-1 in Vikings last 10 games in September.
The Under is 6-1 in Titans last 7 games in September.
The Under is 11-2-1 in Titans last 14 games following a S.U. win.
NFL Odds
Minnesota Vikings +3 -110
Tennessee Titans -3 -110
Over 36 -110
Under 36 -110
Analysis: This game looks like it’s going to be a defensive battle between two of the best defensive units in the league this season, so I say take the Under first and foremost in this matchup NFL bettors. Playing at home, I also like the Titans to cover the spread narrowly.
