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Re: 9-9-10
Sam Clayton
2* MIN +6 vs NOR
Are you ready for some football? Better yet, if you're the Vikings, are you ready to watch the Saints celebrate and raise their championship banner at the same venue as last season's heartbreaking NFC Championship Game?! Yes, the game that saw Minnesota outgain their newly annointed rivals by 200+ yards, yet turn the ball over FIVE times. If those bitter memories combined with a wild, sold out Superdome cheering on the defending champs doesn't spell MOTIVATION, nothing will. So many emotions will erupt from both teams on Thursday night, a mere eight months after last season's greatest game. However, on top of motivation, I'm siding with REVENGE and HUNGER, two attributes I believe the Vikings possess much more of heading into the season opener.
In no way, shape or form am I saying that the Saints aren't going to show up. Not even in the slightest bit. What I am pressing though is that the agony of defeat has lingered in the Vikings' minds all offseason and they've been given an opportunity for revenge against the same team on the same field with more or less the same players. If you're of the mindset that this is going to be a cakewalk for New Orleans, THINK AGAIN. Not only does Minnesota get to play the HUNTER -- they're squaring off against the HUNTED. That's right, for the first time in the history of the National Football League, the Saints have the bullseye on their chest. I'm anxious to see the added pressure on the shoulders of Drew Brees and Co. tonight and how it may affect them.
Matchup wise, if Minnesota makes a carbon copy of January's gameplan, they will be GOLDEN. Don't forget it was the Vikings who won the trench wars . . . who ran 27 more plays and 10 more minutes of clock . . . who were 7-of-12 on third down efficiency and drew five more penalties. Granted, three fumbles and two Brett Favre interceptions (along with a costly 12 men on the field penalty) changed EVERYTHING in that ballgame, yet the Vikes still only lost by a field goal. So now you're telling me I can grab six points with the team that for all intents and purposes DOMINATED the last meeting AND there's a REVENGE ANGLE? Shiiiit. It must be Christmas.
As far as No. 4 is concerned, I learned my lesson a looong time ago going against Favre. He continuously took my money and Chicago pride seemingly every time he took the field against my Bears. You see, that's the kicker with this spread. If Brett Favre is under center, not only will the game be competitive, but there's always a great possibility of an outright win. And for all the talk about New Orleans' high powered offense, it was Favre and Co. that totaled 475 yards in the last meeting. Subtract Saints' safety Darren Sharper (OUT) and combine that with a banged up Jonathan Vilma and Tracy Porter and it seems the New Orleans 'D' might be more the more vulnerable one Thursday night. Back to the well-rested Favre real quick, the man has historically been EXCELLENT in season openers, especially the past three years. Makes you wonder if he's gotten better/smarter with age:
* 2009: 34-20 (W)
* 2008: 20-14 (W)
* 2007: 16-13 (W)
* 2006: 26-0 (L)
* 2005: 17-3 (L)
* 2004: 24-14 (W)
* 2003: 30-25 (L)
* 2002: 37-34 (W)
* 2001: 28-6 (W)
Looking at the line, this is such an EASY scenario for the betting public to see the high-octane, defending champion Saints laying 5 to 6 points at home and think, "coooome on, Saints'll win by a touchdown no problem." In fact, I'm seeing about 75 percent of the 42,000+ bets on New Orleans and I think it's safe to say the sharp action -- and late money -- will be all over the Vikes. Given the fact that this baby is below 7 points and I've got the key numbers of 3, 4 and 6 (w/ Bodog) covered, I'm happier than a pig in a garbage dump. Also, you have to believe that the total dropping three points should correlate with Minnesota.
Re-match games are always more difficult for the team on top, or the one waving the red cape if you're a rodeo fan. Let's not forget, the Vikings are still a very DANGEROUS team with a HOF quarterback under center, great playmakers (A. Peterson, Harvin, Shiancoe) and one of the league's stingiest defensive units. Add in the revenge factor and motivational angle AND you get six points?! I'm sold.
Sam Clayton
2* MIN +6 vs NOR
Are you ready for some football? Better yet, if you're the Vikings, are you ready to watch the Saints celebrate and raise their championship banner at the same venue as last season's heartbreaking NFC Championship Game?! Yes, the game that saw Minnesota outgain their newly annointed rivals by 200+ yards, yet turn the ball over FIVE times. If those bitter memories combined with a wild, sold out Superdome cheering on the defending champs doesn't spell MOTIVATION, nothing will. So many emotions will erupt from both teams on Thursday night, a mere eight months after last season's greatest game. However, on top of motivation, I'm siding with REVENGE and HUNGER, two attributes I believe the Vikings possess much more of heading into the season opener.
In no way, shape or form am I saying that the Saints aren't going to show up. Not even in the slightest bit. What I am pressing though is that the agony of defeat has lingered in the Vikings' minds all offseason and they've been given an opportunity for revenge against the same team on the same field with more or less the same players. If you're of the mindset that this is going to be a cakewalk for New Orleans, THINK AGAIN. Not only does Minnesota get to play the HUNTER -- they're squaring off against the HUNTED. That's right, for the first time in the history of the National Football League, the Saints have the bullseye on their chest. I'm anxious to see the added pressure on the shoulders of Drew Brees and Co. tonight and how it may affect them.
Matchup wise, if Minnesota makes a carbon copy of January's gameplan, they will be GOLDEN. Don't forget it was the Vikings who won the trench wars . . . who ran 27 more plays and 10 more minutes of clock . . . who were 7-of-12 on third down efficiency and drew five more penalties. Granted, three fumbles and two Brett Favre interceptions (along with a costly 12 men on the field penalty) changed EVERYTHING in that ballgame, yet the Vikes still only lost by a field goal. So now you're telling me I can grab six points with the team that for all intents and purposes DOMINATED the last meeting AND there's a REVENGE ANGLE? Shiiiit. It must be Christmas.
As far as No. 4 is concerned, I learned my lesson a looong time ago going against Favre. He continuously took my money and Chicago pride seemingly every time he took the field against my Bears. You see, that's the kicker with this spread. If Brett Favre is under center, not only will the game be competitive, but there's always a great possibility of an outright win. And for all the talk about New Orleans' high powered offense, it was Favre and Co. that totaled 475 yards in the last meeting. Subtract Saints' safety Darren Sharper (OUT) and combine that with a banged up Jonathan Vilma and Tracy Porter and it seems the New Orleans 'D' might be more the more vulnerable one Thursday night. Back to the well-rested Favre real quick, the man has historically been EXCELLENT in season openers, especially the past three years. Makes you wonder if he's gotten better/smarter with age:
* 2009: 34-20 (W)
* 2008: 20-14 (W)
* 2007: 16-13 (W)
* 2006: 26-0 (L)
* 2005: 17-3 (L)
* 2004: 24-14 (W)
* 2003: 30-25 (L)
* 2002: 37-34 (W)
* 2001: 28-6 (W)
Looking at the line, this is such an EASY scenario for the betting public to see the high-octane, defending champion Saints laying 5 to 6 points at home and think, "coooome on, Saints'll win by a touchdown no problem." In fact, I'm seeing about 75 percent of the 42,000+ bets on New Orleans and I think it's safe to say the sharp action -- and late money -- will be all over the Vikes. Given the fact that this baby is below 7 points and I've got the key numbers of 3, 4 and 6 (w/ Bodog) covered, I'm happier than a pig in a garbage dump. Also, you have to believe that the total dropping three points should correlate with Minnesota.
Re-match games are always more difficult for the team on top, or the one waving the red cape if you're a rodeo fan. Let's not forget, the Vikings are still a very DANGEROUS team with a HOF quarterback under center, great playmakers (A. Peterson, Harvin, Shiancoe) and one of the league's stingiest defensive units. Add in the revenge factor and motivational angle AND you get six points?! I'm sold.
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