The New England Patriots host the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Oct 31, as the Vikings QB Bret Favre’s 291 consecutive games started could be in jeopardy. The Vikings are winless on the road, while the Patriots haven’t lost at home. NFL oddsmakers at BODOG.com have the Patriots as -5.5 point home favorites over the Vikings while the game's total has been posted at 44 points. Be sure to get your NFL Week 8 Picks: Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots Betting Odds in now at BODOG.com
The Vikings (2-4) lost in Green Bay 24-28, in Week 7, and sit third in the NFC North. QB Bret Favre made 16 of 29 passes for 212 yards with one TD and three interceptions. RB Adrian Peterson had 28 carries for 131 yards with a TD, while WR Randy Moss made three catches for 30 yards with a TD. WR Percy Harvin was their top receiver with five catches for 65 yards, but he also rushed for a TD off three carries. Favre was hurt in Sunday's loss, and an MRI revealed a stress fracture in the ankle as well as an "avulsion" fracture in the heel bone, where a fragment has been torn away by a tendon or ligament. He doesn't need surgery, and he said after consulting with doctors he's confident he can't make the injury worse by playing. His NFL-record streak is at 291 consecutive games started, 315 including the playoffs. Favre insisted he won't put his pride in the record over the sake of the team. Favre has a 94.9 career passer rating against the Patriots (seven games) and Adrian Peterson has scored five touchdowns in his past five games. The Vikings offense is ranked 20th overall (318ypg) with a 24th ranked pass game (182ypg) and a seventh ranked running game (136ypg). They score the 25th least amount of points per-game (18.5ppg). Percy Harvin leads the Vikings offense with five TD’s. On defense they are ranked sixth overall (308ypg), they have a 13th ranked pass rush (209ypg) and an 11th ranked rush defense (99ypg). The Vikings give up the 11th least amount of points per-game (19.3ppg).
The Patriots (5-1) won in San Diego 23-20 last week and now sit tied for second in the AFC East. QB Tom Brady completed 19 of 32 passes for 159 yards with one TD. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis had 11 carries for 24 yards with a TD. WR Deion Branch made four catches for 39 yards and Rob Gronkowski added a nine yard TD. Is the Patriots offense better without WR Randy Moss? The Pats are 2-0 SU since Moss departed, but their offensive numbers are down across the board. WR Wes Welker, who has just 11 catches for 78 yards and no touchdowns in the past two games, didn’t deny the offense has changed. Without a player who draws safeties downfield, the receivers have found closer quarters underneath. Moss’ mere presence stretched out the defenses. Against the Chargers last week, 5 of 10 drives didn’t include a first down. “Sometimes we had guys open and didn’t have enough time to (throw),” Belichick said. “Other times we had enough time to throw and we didn’t have guys open. Sometimes we had plays called that weren’t great plays. It was a combination of things that we all really need to do a better job of.” The Patriots have won 15 consecutive home games against the NFC and Aaron Hernandez ranks second among NFL rookies with 355 receiving yards. The Pats offense is ranked 19th overall (325ypg) with an 17th ranked pass game (213ypg) and 14th ranked running game (111ypg). The Patriots score the most amount of points per-game (29.5ppg) in the NFL. BenJarvus Green-Ellis leads the Pats offense with four TD’s. On defense they are ranked 29th overall (379ypg), with a 30th ranked pass rush (282ypg) and a ninth ranked rush defense (97ypg). The Pats give up the 22nd most amount of points per-game (22.7ppg).
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
- Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog.
- Vikings are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
- Vikings are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games.
- Patriots are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
- Patriots are 4-1-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots
When: Sun, Oct 31, 4:15 PM ET
Line: BODOG.com
Pick: Pats -5.5
Point-Spreads.com NFL Week 8 Picks: Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots Betting Odds
The Bottom Line: The Vikings have quarterback issues. Be sure to get your NFL Week 8 Picks: Minnesota Vikings vs New England Patriots Betting Odds in now at BODOG.com and receive a 10% Deposit Bonus and start winning today!
