Gambling Matchup Week 1 – Minnesota Vikings vs San Diego Chargers
The Minnesota Vikings will head to sunny San Diego to face off against the Chargers in their first game with new quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Chargers will be trying to kick off the season hot unlike previous years, while the Vikings are trying to prove that they can still compete in the post Favre era.
Vikings vs. Chargers
Venue/Stadium: Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California
Time/Date: 4:15 PM ET, September 11, 2011
NFL Odds From: Bookmaker.com —>
Moneyline: Chargers -410, Vikings +330
Spread (ATS): Chargers -9 ½ , +105
Over/Under: 41 ½ , -110
Grab The In Depth ATS Betting Report – Click Here!
San Diego go into the new season wanting to prove that their disappointing 2010 campaign was indeed a stroke of bad luck, and that they are back to compete for a ring. The Chargers boast the number one-ranked offense and defense from 2010, and made it through the offseason keeping both units pretty much intact.
However, it’s now or never for a Chargers team that missed the playoffs last season after winning four consecutive AFC West titles.
Meanwhile, the Vikings come into 2011 with a new identity now that Donovan McNabb will be the general of the offense. Fortunately, they still have running back Adrian Peterson, which will give them a chance in every game they play in. Peterson rushed for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010 to become the fourth player in NFL history to rush for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first four seasons.
Peterson expects to be the workhorse early and often in 2011, and their first game shouldn’t be any different.
As for the Chargers, if they can play up to their potential in every game, which hasn’t been the case for some years now, they will likely have a top seed in the AFC playoffs. I’d expect them to look better from the get-go, but still not exactly where they should be.
While the offense will once again be led by quarterback Philip Rivers and tight end Antonio Gates, , it is the other side of the ball that make or break this team in 2010. The Chargers had the No. 1 defense by yardage last season and will need linebacker Takeo Spikes and safety Bob Sanders who recently joined the unit, to help linebacker Shaun Phillips hold down the fort. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Nevertheless, the main thing holding the Chargers back is head coach Norv Turner. He just can’t seem to rally his team behind his mantra, and I’d doubt that to change any time soon. If Turner does indeed bring together his team, and get them to play up to their potential, the Chargers could very well be playoff-bound.
NFL Week 1 Trends:
MIN are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games.
Under is 6-2 in MIN last 8 games overall.
MIN are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
Over is 11-2 in SD last 13 games in September.
SD are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Matt’s Prediction: San Diego 24, Minnesota 17
Minnesota will have to prove to the entire league that they are for real as they enter the McNabb era. However, San Diego, on paper, are clearly the better team, and matchup well against the Vikings, who are going to run, run, and run.
Expect the Chargers to hold back take Peterson out of the game as well as pick apart their defense.
Welcome to the CappersPicks.com Week 1 NFL football predictions! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL Football gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
