Baltimore Ravens (3-2) at Minnesota Vikings (5-0)
Brett Favre’s comeback has been all that he could hope for (he had never started 5-0 in his career), but we really should find out how good the Vikings are on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
If you believe the theory that home field is worth three points in the NFL, then oddsmakers at WagerWeb.com believe this matchup is basically a pick’em because the Vikes are just 3-point favorites.
Baltimore has looked as good as any team in the league despite being on a two-game losing streak. The Ravens easily could have won the past two weeks in close losses to New England and Cincinnati.
One streak did end last week for the Ravens, as they allowed the Bengals’ Cedric Benson to rush for 100 yards, the first back to do that since late 2006. Now Minnesota can claim the league’s best streak in that category. The last RB to rush for 100 yards against Minnesota was Green Bay’s Ryan Grant in Week 10 of 2007. The Vikings have gone a league-best 28 straight games without allowing another back to hit the century mark.
Favre might be in for his worst day of the season. He is the league’s fourth-rated passer, but hasn’t faced a defense ranked in the top 15 until Sunday.
Ravens QB Joe Flacco is on pace to pass his rookie totals of 2,971 yards and 14 touchdowns. His nine TD tosses are tied for fourth in the NFL. But Baltimore had just 257 yards of offense last week against the Bengals. Flacco (1289 passing yards, 9 TD, 5 INT) managed a season-low 186 passing yards and posted his first multi-interception game, though he did throw a touchdown pass for a fifth straight contest. RB Ray Rice is the Ravens’ top threat, as he is Baltimore’s leading rusher (364 rushing yards) as well as its top pass catcher with 23 receptions.
The Vikings have a few injury concerns. Rookie receiver and return man Percy Harvin is questionable with an injured left shoulder. Harvin says it will be a game-time decision. He is averaging 31.2 yards per kick return and has scored three touchdowns in his first five games. Starting right tackle Phil Loadholt also is listed as questionable with a sprained ankle. Loadholt missed the game last week against St. Louis.
Here’s an odd stat: Minnesota crushed the Rams last week, but the past two years teams coming off a game against St. Louis are 5-14-1 against the line.
Bet on the NFL at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
