New York Jets (2-10 SU, 3-8-1 ATS) at Minnesota Vikings (5-7 SU, 6-5 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date and Time: December 7, 2014, 1:00 PM EST.
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN.
TV: CBS
by Wilson, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYJ +4.5/Min -4.5
Over/Under Total: 40.5
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The Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets are both looking for a win this weekend at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings are coming off of a 31-13 home win versus the Carolina Panthers where they covered as -2.5 favorites, and the total favored the OVER wager. The Jets hope to rebound after their loss Monday night 16-13 to the Miami Dolphins. New York jumped out to a 10-0 lead only to lose by a late field goal. New York did cover the +7 as dogs and a total of 29 points cashed tickets for the UNDER bettors.
Betting trends for New York: the Jets are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games, the total has gone under in 4 of the Jets last 6 contests on the road. NY is also 0-5 SU on the road. Minnesota trends: the Vikings have gone UNDER the total in 5 of their last 7 games and they are 7-3 SU in their last 10 games at home. The Vikings are 0-5 SU versus the Jets in their last 5 contests.
The Jets were looking great in the first half last week against the Dolphins as they ran for 113 yards on 13 carries in the first quarter alone and they ended up with 210 total rushing yards for the first half. They finished their rushing campaign with 277 yards on 49 carries and a touchdown. Jets RB Chris Johnson rushed for his first 100-yard game as a Jet with 105 yards on 17 carries. If the Jets can establish another solid running attack this weekend against the Vikings they might be able to hang with the Vikes.
Minnesota QB Teddy Bridgewater is coming off perhaps his best performance of the year. In fact, Bridgewater has been nominated for NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Week for his performance versus the Panthers. Bridgewater was 15 of 21 (71%) for 138 yards and had two touchdown drives in the opening and closing possessions in the first half, a 4-yard TD pass to Kyle Rudolph and then an 11 play 80-yard drive capped off by a 17 yard catch and run TD to Gregg Jennings.
The Vikings special teams blocked two punts and returned each block for a touchdown in route to their third home win of the season. Minnesotas defense also held the Panthers and Cam Newton to 194 yards passing. The Viking defense has the ability to make the Jets offense struggle through a long afternoon. Vikings DE Everson Griffen is currently 2nd in the NFC in sacks with 11.0 and has tallied multiple sacks in 3 games this season. Vikings S Harrison Smith is tied for 3rd in the league with 4 INTs and he also has 139 return yards to accompany the pickshe is the only player in the NFL with at least 4 INTs and 2 sacks in 2014. Minnesotas defensive backs have a total of 11 INTs through the first 12 games which is compared to just 6 INTs for all of last season.
The Vikings trail the all-time series with the Jets 8-1-0. Minnesota has lost the last 7 games in the series going back to 1979. The only win the Vikings have over the Jets goes all the way back to 1975 in Minnesota as Bud Grants Vikings team earned a 29-21 victory. The way the Vikings have played defense lately especially against the pass (11 INTs) and their ability to pressure the QB (11sacks) coupled with the dynamic play of QB Teddy Bridgewater, who had a 120.7 QB rating last week, the Vikes will be tough to beat at home. New York will be hungry certainly after their heartbreaking loss to the Dolphins last Monday Night but I believe the Vikings have a more balanced game on both sides of the pigskin. Take Minnesota minus the points. Luck to ya.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Vikings minus the points.
