Banged-up Vikings face tough test in the desert against high-flying Cards
Pity the Vikings. They get routed at home by Seattle, then have a short week and a trip west to Arizona. It’s a difficult chore NFC North co-leader Minnesota faces, particularly if nose tackle Linval Joseph (foot), linebacker Anthony Barr (groin/hand) and safety Harrison Smith (hamstring/knee) are not available. One solution would be feeding the ball to Adrian Peterson as much as possible. The problem there: Arizona ranks fourth in rushing defence. A seven-point favourite, the Cardinals can clinch the NFC West with a win over Minnesota and a Seattle loss. Our pick? Cardinals, 23-14.
In other games:
Washington (+3) at Chicago: Bears would be best team in NFC East. So ... Best bet: Bears, 23-16.
Buffalo (+1) at Philadelphia: Even after that win in Foxborough, we don’t have faith in Eagles. Upset special: Bills, 19-17.
Pittsburgh (+3) at Cincinnati: Bengals’ shot at top seed in AFC takes a hit. Steelers, 33-30.
Oakland (+7) at Denver: Broncos’ shot at top seed in AFC remains viable. Broncos, 24-13.
Atlanta (+7) at Carolina: Panthers have little worry about getting top seed in NFC. Panthers, 30-16.
Dallas (+9) at Green Bay: Maybe this one will finish off “Cowboys are contenders” talk. Packers, 26-24.
Seattle (-5) at Baltimore: Seahawks are looking like contender for third straight Super Bowl trip. Seahawks, 26-13.
San Diego (+10) at Kansas City: No team is hotter than the Chiefs who go for seven in a row. Chiefs, 22-13.
Tennessee (+7) at Jets: Jets don’t do anything easily. Jets, 21-19.
New York Giants (-1) at Miami, Monday night: Giants don’t do anything easily, either. Must be a Meadowlands thing. Giants, 17-13.
New England (-3) at Houston: Position meetings must have been fun this week for Pats. Patriots, 24-17.
New Orleans (+4) at Tampa Bay: Have to love what Lovie has done with Bucs. Not so much what’s going on in Big Easy. Buccaneers, 33-31.
Detroit (pick-em) at St. Louis: Who really cares, Part 1? Lions, 21-18.
San Francisco (+3) at Cleveland: Who really cares, Part 2? 49ers, 23-15.
Indianapolis (OFF) at Jacksonville: Must win for Colts in AFC South race. Colts, 22-20.
2015 record: against spread: week 6-10, season (93-87-5). Straight up: week 10-6, season (118-74).
Best Bet: 6-6-1 against spread, 8-5 straight up.
Upset special: 7-6 against spread, 4-9 straight up.