Minnesota Vikings at New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Sunday, October 31, 2010, 4:15 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Patriots -3.5
Current Line: Patriots -5.5
Opening Total: 44
Current Total: 44
Money Line: Patriots -255 / Vikings +225
Anybody who has watched quarterback Brett Favre play for the Minnesota Vikings (2-4) this season has to wonder how he possibly gives them a chance to win on the road Sunday against the New England Patriots (5-1). A fractured ankle suffered in Sunday night’s 28-24 loss at Green Bay has made Favre a question mark on the injury report, putting his NFL record of 291 consecutive games started in serious jeopardy. However, Minnesota’s season could be in bigger trouble if he and head coach Brad Childress put that mark ahead of the team’s best interests when they visit the Patriots (-6 on the current NFL betting lines).
Favre has singled-handedly dug the Vikings into this hole thanks to a league-high 10 interceptions and four fumbles, and he ranks dead last in passer rating among quarterbacks who have started at least six games. Yet the public likely will not know whether or not the future Hall of Famer or backup Tavaris Jackson will take the field as the starter until Sunday at the earliest.
Regardless, you can bet that New England head coach Bill Belichick will be ready for either scenario in hopes getting the best of former Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss and earning their fifth straight victory. Belichick’s squad has won its last two games by an identical score of 23-20 even though the path to get there could not be more different. The Pats rallied back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat Baltimore two weeks ago at home in overtime, and they had to stave off a late comeback attempt by San Diego last week after leading, 23-6.
Moss was dealt to Minnesota nearly a month ago by New England and has not made the impact Vikings fans had hoped for. He has averaged four catches per game since re-joining the team that drafted him with two touchdowns, both of which happened in prime-time games. His replacement Deion Branch arrived in a trade from Seattle and has made 13 catches with a touchdown in two games since re-joining the Patriots.
The advantage Moss brings to the table for Vikings despite his spotty play so far is his knowledge of New England’s offense and defense. He should be able to help whoever is under center identify a potential weakness in the young secondary, as the Patriots are surrendering 282 passing yards per game this season.
Favre is 4-3 during his career against New England, but Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has won both of his two starts against the Vikings. Brady threw for 372 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-7 victory at Minnesota back in 2007, which is the last time the two teams met.
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