The only NFL Week 16 game to match up two teams with playoff hopes takes place Sunday night in Minneapolis, as the 8-6 VikingsRedskins, with Minnesota a 6.5-point favorite (over/under: 40.5) on WagerWeb.com.
The Vikings are coming off a short week after winning ugly against the Bears on Monday night. It was Minnesota's fifth straight victory, and the Vikings can clinch a spot in the postseason with a win, coupled with a loss or tie by New Orleans against Philadelphia on Sunday.
Washington, meanwhile, has won consecutive games, against Chicago and the Giants, following a four-game losing streak as it tries to secure a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.
"The last two weeks I felt like was a huge deal for us," Redskins coach Joe Gibbs said. "Chicago had to have it. That was kind of like a playoff game. The Giants needed it, so that was a big deal too. I'm really proud of our guys."
The Redskins must win their final two games -- including a season-ending home contest against the Dallas Cowboys -- plus have New Orleans lose one of its last two games or the Giants lose their final two.
Both teams are coming off wins that left plenty of room for improvement.
Against the Bears, Tarvaris Jackson threw for a career-high 249 yards, but was intercepted three times and did not throw a touchdown pass. he also botched a handoff with Adrian Peterson that created another turnover.
"I think he'll progress from that," Vikings coach Brad Childress said of Jackson, who had thrown for four of his six TDs the previous three games. "Unfortunately those are hard lessons to learn."
As he prepares to start his 11th game this season, Jackson's teammates are confident he will bounce back.
He is, after all, 8-2 as a starter."He's been calm in a lot of situations," tight end Jim Kleinsasser said. "He feels more comfortable back there and I think the whole team is feeling a lot more comfortable with each other. That's the big thing."
Once again, expect huge doses of Peterson, who finished with 78 yards on 20 carries and two TDs against the Bears, and Chester Taylor on the ground.
The Vikings are the top-ranked rushing team in the league.
Washington's run defense is among the best in the NFL, ranking ninth. Washington gives up 98 yards per game on the ground.
The Redskins rode their ground game to a 22-10 victory over the Giants last Sunday night. Clinton Portis rushed for 126 yards and a touchdown, easing the burden of quarterback Todd Collins, who won while making his first start in 10 years.
The 36-year-old Collins went just 8-of-25 without a touchdown, but he did throw for 166 yards and led five scoring drives starting in place of the injured Jason Campbell, who is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated kneecap. Collins will go against a Vikings' pass defense that gives up 266.4 yards per game, last in the league. Of course, Minnesota also leads the NFL in rushing defense.
The lowdown: Minnesota has won three of the last four against Washington, including last year's 19-16 road victory. This is their first meeting at the Metrodome since the Vikings' 41-7 victory in 1998. ... The Redskins rank 16th in total offense, the Vikings 20th in total defense. ... The Vikings rank 11th in total offense, the Redskins 10th in total defense. ...
Washington starting OLB Rocky McIntosh is out for the season after injuring his knee in the win over the Giants. ... Vikings starting cornerback Antoine Winfield and rookie wide receiver Sidney Rice both could miss the game with injuries. ... The best bet in this will be the under, as it's hard to imagine these two quarterback-challenged squads combining for 40 points.
Betting trends
The Redskins are 5-7 ATS.
The Redskins are 3-3 ATS away.
The Redskins are 3-2 ATS as the underdog.
The Redskins are 3-2 ATS as an away underdog.
The Vikings are 7-5 ATS.
The Vikings are 4-3 ATS at home.
The Vikings are 4-1 ATS as the favorite.
The Vikings are 3-1 ATS as a home favorite.
More NFL Trends.
host the 7-7
No comments:
Post a Comment