Re: Minnesota -2.5
[ QUOTE ]
Detroit . . . Both of their QBs suck. They just fired their coach. The entire organization sucks. They can't run. They can't pass. They have no shot at the playoffs.
[/ QUOTE ]
Every one of those statements was true about the Miami Dolphins last year heading into Week 11. Under interim Head Coach Jim Bates, they finished a strong 3-4 straight up and, more importantly, went 6-1 against the spread. This alone should convince you that Minnessota cannot possibly be a lock this week.
[ QUOTE ]
Minnessota was picked by many to make the playoffs this year and possibly to go deep into the playoffs. They started out the season playing terribly because of the play of Culpepper. For whatever reason, the guy could not protect the football this year.
The Vikings seem to be a much better team with Brad Johnson as QB. Brad Johnson is a guy who has always been smart and solid. The rest of the team is probably about average.
[/ QUOTE ]
Culpepper was not playing well, but neither is Brad Johnson. The Vikings' turnaround has been keyed by three things: improved defensive play, terrible opponents, and the flukiest win (at New York) that I've seen in years.
Detroit stinks, but Minnesota doesn't deserve to be a road favorite against anyone except San Francisco (and perhaps Houston).
|