2012-2013 Regular Season: 10-6 SU | 8-7-1 ATS
2012-2013 Postseason: 0-1 SU | 0-1 ATS
Can the Minnesota Vikings continue their rise in the NFC? From disastrous 3-13 SU and 6-8-2 ATS records in 2011, they improved to 10-6 SU and 8-7-1 ATS last year and made the playoffs. Can they finally outdo their rivals, the Green Bay Packers, and win the NFC North this year? The Vikings are priced at +500 to win the division.
Of course, the turnaround coincided with the return of superstar running back Adrian Peterson, who produced mind-boggling numbers (2196 rushing yards – 1st in the league) despite the fact that he was coming off major ACL and MCL surgeries the previous year. Behind Peterson’s efforts and a reliable offensive line– Matt Kalil, Phil Loadholt, Charlie Johnson and John Sullivan— the Vikings ranked 1st in yards per rushing attempt (5.4), 2nd in total rushing yards (164.8) and 2nd in rushing yards per game (164.6). In the offseason, the Vikings traded Percy Harvin and signed Greg Jennings via free agency. The signing not only helped their own offense but they also stole one of the Packers’ top receivers the past few years.
Despite the 10-win output last year, the Vikings’ Regular Season Wins Total (Over/Under) opened at 7.5 this year. Could it be because they have the 10th toughest schedule this year? Their opponents have a combined record of 132-124-0. The Vikings will open the season as a 3-point road underdog vs. division rivals Detroit Lions in Week 1 followed by another NFC North match-up with the Chicago Bears in Week 2. The Vikings’ Super Bowl 2014 odds of winning are priced at +5000.
Key Betting matchups of 2013 NFL Season:
Week 8 and Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers: Peterson rushed for a total of 409 yards in 2 regular season games against Green Bay last season. This includes their 37-34 victory in the final week when they covered as 3-point dogs.
Minnesota Vikings bettors should pay attention to:
– CB Xavier Rhodes, who was the Vikings’ first round selection in the recent NFL Draft. This is the same pick that Minnesota received in the Percy Harvin trade with Seattle.
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