2011 NFL Picks: Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers

Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers
Sunday, 9/11/11, 4:15 PM EST, TV: FOX
Opening Point Spread: San Diego -9.5
Current Betting Line: San Diego -8.5
Opening Total: 41.5
Current Total: 41.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Pro Bowl Betting Preview — The San Diego Chargers have won of the deadliest aerial attacks led by QB Philip Rivers

Minnesota is set to have veteran quarterback Donovan McNabb under center to start the 2011 campaign, as Brett Favre has finally settled into retirement. The Vikings are hoping to open the season better than its 2-5 mark through seven games last year. “I think the next level for us is just restoring what we had here in 2009, that confidence and swagger that we can get back to the playoffs,” commented Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway. The team moved past Brad Childress and settled in hiring on last year’s interim head coach Leslie Frazier, as the squad hopes to hold onto the football. Minnesota committed 37 turnovers in 2010. Playing as an underdog is no money-making angle for this team, going 1-7 ATS in its last eight opportunities.

The Vikings will likely give running back Adrian Peterson a heavy dose of carries again this year, as he ran for 1,298 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2010. The former Oklahoma Sooners start leads the entire league with 5,782 rushing yards the past four seasons. Minnesota will likely break out the tape of a Nov. 4, 2007 contest, as the Vikings watched Peterson set a new NFL record with 296 yards against the Chargers.

San Diego comes off a disappointing campaign that saw the team rank in the top 5 in both total offense and defense, only to miss the playoffs with a 9-7 overall record. The Chargers are hell-bent on changing things and have made 144 player transactions since the NFL lockout ended. “We have a blue-collar team with a desire to win a championship,” commented Chargers tight end Antonio Gates. “We made a commitment this whole offseason to show the world.” The team certainly possesses the right leader, as quarterback Philip Rivers threw for a career-high 4,710 yards in 2010. San Diego is 4-1 ATS as a home favorite of 7.5 to 10 points.

The Chargers have plenty of weapons at Rivers’ disposal outside of Gates, including a pair of big-time play makers on the outside. Wide receivers Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson are two of the more dangerous targets down the field in the National Football League. The team is hoping to find a consistent running game, as second-year player Ryan Mathews joins Mike Tolbert in the backfield. It will be interesting to see how much the squad misses third-down back and special teams star Darren Sproles.