NFL Football
2009-01-04 - Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings
A Sports Betting Pick by Bodog
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minn.
Sunday, January 4th 2009 - Kickoff 4:30 p.m
This is why the NFL has a Wild-Card Round.
All four of the visiting teams in this weekend’s opening round of the playoffs are favored against their four division-winning opponents.
Will a Wild Card take the Super Bowl for the third time in four years? Our preview of this weekend’s action suggests they’ll get off to a good start.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1 SU, 10-6 ATS, Under 8-7-1)
Points per game: 26.0 (No. 6)
Points allowed: 18.1 (No. 4)
Passing yards: 244.2 (No. 6)
Rushing yards: 106.3 (No. 22)
Passing yards allowed: 182.1 (No. 3)
Rushing yards allowed: 92.2 (No. 4)
Super Bowl odds: 11-1
Minnesota Vikings (10-6 SU, 6-10 ATS, Over 9-7)
Points per game: 23.7 (No. 12)
Points allowed: 20.8 (No. 13)
Passing yards: 184.7 (No. 25)
Rushing yards: 145.8 (No. 5)
Passing yards allowed: 215.6 (No. 18)
Rushing yards allowed: 76.8 (No. 1)
Super Bowl odds: 28-1
Head-to-Head
These two teams last met in Week 8 of the 2007 campaign, with Philadelphia (+1) prevailing 23-16 at the Metrodome.
That improved the Eagles’ record to 4-0 SU and ATS this decade against the Vikings, and 7-3 SU (9-1 ATS) in their last 10 meetings stretching all the way back to 1988.
Analysis
The Vikings went 5-1 (3-3 ATS) down the stretch to win the NFC North, but only covered three of their last four games. Minnesota also came perilously close to losing against winless Detroit in both Week 6 and Week 14.
Against teams outside of their milquetoast division, the Vikings were 6-4 SU and 5-5 ATS. Compare that to the Eagles who survived the double-tough NFC East by going 6-3-1 SU and 8-4 ATS against non-divisional foes.
Neither team got to take it easy in Week 17, although the Eagles were able to rest some of their starters as they ran up the score against Dallas.
The Vikings have the main injury concern with 320-pound nose tackle Pat Williams; he broke his right scapula in Week 15 and was originally expected out 2-6 weeks.
Although Williams has been medically cleared to play Sunday, he still has to prove in practice that his shoulder is strong enough to carry the load. If not, Minnesota loses the one advantage it had in this game, especially with Philadelphia RB Brian Westbrook’s knee acting up again.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune ran an article on Tuesday proclaiming Chris Kluwe to be the Vikings "best punter ever." Mark Craig cited Kluwe’s team record 47.6-yard gross average, but Kluwe is all power and no direction. Only 31.5 percent of his punts landed inside the 20, leaving Minnesota No. 17 in the league in that department.
The Eagles get solid punt returning from DeSean Jackson, who brought one back 68 yards to the house against the Titans.
The Verdict
This one is the toughest to pick, mainly because the Eagles have been so up-and-down this year - notably in their tie in Cincinnati and also the loss in Washington in Week 16.
As such, this game is pretty close to a 50-50 call, and we feel that there is a little bit of value in taking the "VIKES" on the Money Line to win with home field advantage.
The Pick :
Philadelphia 17-20 Minnesota
