Minnesota Vikings vs. Buffalo Bills
Friday, 8/16/13, 7:00PM EST, TV: N/A
Opening Point Spread: Buffalo -3
Current Betting Line: Buffalo -3.5
Opening Total: 40
Current Total: 43
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Minnesota suffered a 27-13 defeat to the Houston Texans as one-point home favorites in its preseason opener last week, while going OVER the betting total of 35.5. The Vikings first-team offense was done after two snaps and 43 seconds of game clock, as head coach Leslie Frazier made a decision leading up to the game to play the unit in just one series. “We really need to look at some other guys and find out who’s going to be able to help our football team,” commented Frazier. Minnesota is expected to play quarterback Christian Ponder and Co. two-to-four series this time around.
The Vikings will likely keep running back Adrian Peterson off the field for the entire 2013 NFL preseason, which must be considered when looking over the pro football odds page. Minnesota backup signal-caller Matt Cassel will look to continue to place pressure on Ponder to perform, as he completed 12 of 19 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown with an interception in the opener. Offensively, the team ranked 31st in passing a season ago, but hope the addition of wide receiver Greg Jennings will improve upon that number.
Buffalo picked up an impressive 44-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts as 4.5-point road underdogs last week, while going OVER the betting total of 36.5. The Bills have a youthful roster, with all but six points being scored by rookies at Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s a surprising result due to the fact that a franchise that last made the playoffs in 1999 hasn’t had much success with drafting players over the past decade. Buffalo will be led on the field by quarterback Kevin Kolb in this affair—with last week’s starter EJ Manuel taking over afterwards.
The Bills are interested in extending the field with downfield passes, which could open up running lanes for running backs Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller. Buffalo will look to accomplish this feat without No. 1 wide receiver Stevie Johnson on the field, but the offense did roll up 451 yards and 27 first downs against the Colts.
I’m going to recommend that readers back the Vikings in this affair, as they’ve finished with a .500 or better record 40 times in the team’s 52 preseasons.
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