Minnesota Vikings -3
Only in the weak NFC would we have a team like the Vikings who have lost 5 of the past 7 games to still CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY as far as making the playoffs. Last week I correctly predicted that visiting Seattle would upset the Vikes which they did. However, I am siding with a Minnesota contingent this afternoon that needs to "win out" in order to win the NFC North crown and make the playoffs. The reason why the Vikes control their own destiny is because they get a chance to face the current first-place team (Green Bay) on Christmas eve. Last year Minnesota won their first SIX games only to NOT make the playoffs due to defensive failures. That defensive unit has struggled with poor tackling again this campaign following a brilliant 5-1 start. However, the Minnesota slide this season can be directly attributed to the hamstring injury that cost star WR Randy Moss five games. Moss is getting healthier by the week, and if he just can refrain from throwing the football, the Vikes should be fine. We have a coaching "intangible" this afternoon as Vikings owner Red McCombs will have to decide by the end of this month whether to pick up the option year on Mike Tice's contract. He is going to have to make that decision BEFORE the final regular season game which will be played on January 2nd. That means a win is imperative for Tice this afternoon, especially with the red-hot Packers on deck. Minnesota has dominated Detroit in this series. The Lions actually have played better on the road this campaign rather than at home which is where they are playing this afternoon. Last week, Detroit nearly upset the Packers in Green Bay, so I look for a bit of a "letdown" this afternoon. By the way, Detroit QB Joey Harrington is in such a huge slump, that the Lions were seriously considering back-up Mike McMahon as the starter this afternoon. As I just mentioned, Detroit played their hearts out in a slim 16-13 loss at Lambeau Field last week. Detroit just happens to be an awful 1-7 ATS after an fine effort where they committed ZERO turnovers.
GOOD LUCK
Only in the weak NFC would we have a team like the Vikings who have lost 5 of the past 7 games to still CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY as far as making the playoffs. Last week I correctly predicted that visiting Seattle would upset the Vikes which they did. However, I am siding with a Minnesota contingent this afternoon that needs to "win out" in order to win the NFC North crown and make the playoffs. The reason why the Vikes control their own destiny is because they get a chance to face the current first-place team (Green Bay) on Christmas eve. Last year Minnesota won their first SIX games only to NOT make the playoffs due to defensive failures. That defensive unit has struggled with poor tackling again this campaign following a brilliant 5-1 start. However, the Minnesota slide this season can be directly attributed to the hamstring injury that cost star WR Randy Moss five games. Moss is getting healthier by the week, and if he just can refrain from throwing the football, the Vikes should be fine. We have a coaching "intangible" this afternoon as Vikings owner Red McCombs will have to decide by the end of this month whether to pick up the option year on Mike Tice's contract. He is going to have to make that decision BEFORE the final regular season game which will be played on January 2nd. That means a win is imperative for Tice this afternoon, especially with the red-hot Packers on deck. Minnesota has dominated Detroit in this series. The Lions actually have played better on the road this campaign rather than at home which is where they are playing this afternoon. Last week, Detroit nearly upset the Packers in Green Bay, so I look for a bit of a "letdown" this afternoon. By the way, Detroit QB Joey Harrington is in such a huge slump, that the Lions were seriously considering back-up Mike McMahon as the starter this afternoon. As I just mentioned, Detroit played their hearts out in a slim 16-13 loss at Lambeau Field last week. Detroit just happens to be an awful 1-7 ATS after an fine effort where they committed ZERO turnovers.
GOOD LUCK
