NFL Football
2008-12-21 - Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
A Sports Betting Pick by Bodog
United States, NFL
Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
Sunday December 21st, 2008 - Kickoff 4:15 PM ET
Minnesota is a 3-point chalk on Sunday with the juice set at –125 and a total of 43 points.
Atlanta Falcons (9-5 SU, 3-4 Road, 8-6 ATS)
This week the Atlanta Falcons will look to keep their magical season rolling as they run into a Minnesota Vikings team that seems to have found a winning formula.
The Falcons are the first team in line waiting for an NFC Wild Card berth. They can punch their ticket on Sunday with a win, plus a Tampa Bay loss and either Dallas or Philadelphia going down to defeat.
Atlanta is experiencing technical difficulties at 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in its last five. Coach Mike Smith admitted his team was "not hitting on all cylinders" during its 13-10 overtime win at home over the Buccaneers (+5.5).
Minnesota Vikings (9-5 SU, 5-1 Home, 6-8 ATS)
Minnesota is in first place in the NFC North, but by only one game over the Bears. The Vikings can clinch the division title with a victory over Atlanta.
The Vikings have won their last four games in a row at 3-1 ATS;
Vikings coach Brad Childress has a very difficult decision to make before Sunday’s matchup. QB Tarvaris Jackson had four TD passes and no picks in last week’s 35-14 drubbing of Arizona (-4).
Gus Frerotte (lower back) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and appears ready to play; he took Jackson’s starting job in Week 3, and the Vikings are 8-3 SU and 5-6 ATS with Frerotte at the controls. The buzz in the local press favors Jackson getting the nod on Sunday.
Minnesota will be facing the NFL’s top-ranked rushing offense on Sunday when they play Atlanta without Pat Williams, who will miss two-to-six weeks after suffering a broken scapula in his right shoulder Sunday.
Head to Head
Minnesota beat Atlanta 24-3 on Sept. 9, 2007 at the Metrodome and is 10-3 at home in the all-time series.
The Verdict
The Vikings should have enough to win with Adrian Peterson - the NFL's leading rusher - on their side.
The Pick :
Atlanta 20-27 Minnesota
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take MINNESOTA to win and cover the -3 point start
