Geno Smith and the New York Jets (2-10) aren’t done building their resume as one of the most miserable teams in the league. After a gut-wrenching 38-13 loss to the Buffalo Bills back in Week 12, the Jets discovered another way to depress their fanbase by losing to the Miami Dolphins via a meltdown last Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings (5-7), meanwhile, may be wallowing in the bottom of the NFC North, but at least they still have a chance of not only getting out of it but also of finishing the season with a winning record.
If you’re done reading this preview and want to check out another intriguing matchup, you can click here for a complete breakdown of Seahawks vs. Eagles.
[sc:Football ]New York Jets vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
When: Sunday, December 7, 1:00 PM ET
Line: New York Jets (+6) at Minnesota Vikings (-6); total: 40.5 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the New York Jets
The Jets don’t always throw the ball, but when they do, disaster will likely ensue. That pretty much sums up the Jets’ heartbreaking 16-13 loss of the Jets to the Miami Dolphins Monday.
[sc:NFL240banner ]New York’s game plan was solidly planted on rushing against the Dolphins, who started the day 10th in the league in rushing defense with only 104.2 yards allowed on the ground per game. With a green light for a ground and pound attack, Chris Johnson was able to show flashes of his vintage self, racking up a season-high 105 rushing yards on 17 carries. Chris Ivory, on the other hand, contributed 62 yards on 16 carries. Overall, the Jets finished the Miami game with 277 yards.
It would be hard to imagine the Jets having a different approach against Minnesota, mainly for two reasons. First, the Vikings have a pass defense that Geno Smith appears to be not capable of thwarting efficiently. The Vikings are fourth in the league in passing defense with 219.1 yards allowed per game.
Smith attempted only 13 passes for 49 yards against the Dolphins, and yet somehow found a way to finish the game with an interception, alas one that took away a potential game-winning drive.
Furthermore, Smith only attempts 25.8 passes per game but already has 11 picks thrown—fifth most in the NFL—thus far this season.
Second, the Jets’ rushing game plays right into Minnesota’s unstable defense against the rush. The Jets are second best in the league in rushing yards per game (148.2), while the Vikings are 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (123.8).
The Jets are 3-0 ATS in their last three road games.
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Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
Following a close three-point loss (21-24) at the hands of the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, the Vikings returned to the field and dealt the visiting Carolina Panthers a sound 31-13 beating last Sunday. The Vikings also covered the spread as 2.5-point home favorites to improve their ATS record to 7-5.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater churned out one of the best performances of his young career, completing 15 of 21 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns without an interception to finish with a 120.7 passer rating.
The Vikings are going to need more from Bridgewater’s’ arms next Sunday as the Jets’ sturdy defense against the rush won’t make life easy for Matt Asiata and company. The Jets are third in the league in rushing defense with only 85.2 yards surrendered on the ground per game.
Defensively, the Vikings must like their chances of spoiling the attack of the turnover-prone New York team. The Jets are 31st in the NFL with a -12 turnover differential.
In addition, Minnesota’s pass rush brings an imposing challenge for the Jets’ tattered offensive line. Jets quarterbacks have been sacked a total of 38 times this season, third most in the league. Conversely, the Vikings front seven has recorded 35 sacks as of Week 13. Everson Griffen and Tom Johnson lead the Vikings in that department with 11 and 5 sacks, respectively.
Writer’s Prediction
The Jets win, 27-23.
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