Beating Vegas: Vikings of the North

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Minnesota Vikings -8.5 at Green Bay Packers

The Minnesota Vikings are positioning themselves for a deep and serious playoff run, while the division rival Packers, have pretty much packed it in for the season. After last week’s jolt from reality that Aaron Rodgers returning from injury was not going to propel the Packers into a magical playoff run, they have now shut down Aaron Rodgers for the rest of the season. The Vikings are the most balanced team in the NFL on offense and defense it seems that both units are cohesive and working in harmony. Quarterback Case Keenum has been quite the story for the Vikings though. If people aren’t talking about him being mentioned in the MVP race, they are talking about how he could be the next “big contract quarterback” – because that’s just the climate of today’s game when speaking of starting QB’s. A lot of his success is due to the underrated receiving duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs who are averaging 14.3 and 13.7 yards per reception respectively. That doesn’t bode well for a Green Bay secondary that is already allowing 11.4 yards per reception which puts them in the bottom half of the league. Green Bay back up quarterback Brett Hundley will be facing one of the NFL’s best defensive units while not having the services of Davonte Adams the team’s reception leader. With the Packers fans and players all knowing this season is a wrap, it’s going to be hard for them to get up for this game on the holiday weekend.

The Pick: Vikings -8.5

Los Angeles Rams -6.5 at Tennessee Titans

The Los Angeles Rams are tied for most points per game in the NFL with 31.3. They bring that ridiculous average over to Tennessee against a Titans defense holding opponents to 22 points per game. That’s not too shabby, but when you’re only averaging 21 points a game – things shouldn’t line up in your favor. For reasons that go far beyond anyone’s comprehension though, the Titans have an 8-6 record and are in the playoff hunt. The good news for the Titans is that they are playing at home this week. That’s generally good news for anybody, but more so in the case of the Titan’s who’s starting quarterback Marcus Mariota, is pound-for-pound the worst road QB in football today. The bad news for the Titans is that. . .Mariota hasn’t been that great across the board. The former Heisman winner has 12 touchdowns against his 14 interceptions and has been sacked 23 times so far this year. This Ram’s defense has been impressive against the pass this year holding the opposition to a completion percentage of 58 percent but against the run, they have shown at times to get worn down. This is the type of game where Tennessee will have to rely on running back Derrick Henry to move the chains. This Tennessee defense is pretty good, but this offense isn’t the type to be bottled up for four quarters – especially when considering the Titans offensive attack will be pretty predictable in the early going.

The Pick: Rams -6.5

Indianapolis Colts +14 at Baltimore Ravens (over/under 42)

Whenever the Colts are on television – I pass. Whenever the Ravens are on television – I pass. When the Colts play the Ravens, let’s be clear – nobody wins. According to ESPN’s Total QBR Rankings, the Raven’s Joe Flacco stands at 26 with a QBR of 40.9; and the Colts’ Jacoby Brissett is 29th with a QBR of 38.9. To make things a little more interesting – Joe Flacco is dead last in the NFL when it comes to yards-per-pass (5.8) and Jacoby Brissett is 30th in league completion percentage with 59.6. Both teams rely on the running attack, where Baltimore’s Alex Collins is having a great year and averaging 4.9 yards a carry and Indy’s Frank Gore is averaging a sad 3.6. Much like the previously mentioned Titans, one look at the Ravens’ record will make you scratch your head as they too have an 8-6 record. This will be one of the worse games of the week – nay – the year.

The Pick: The Under at 42

Good Luck and Wager Wisely!

G.W. Gras

Twitter @GeeSteelio