I don’t care who starts at quarterback for Cleveland, the Browns are way more than 4 points better than Pittsburgh and their dated offensive system/QB.
I’ll take Cleveland -4 over Pittsburgh.
Also the Bears are awful. I’ll take the 49ers (-4) to outplay and out coach them.
That’s it. That’s the analysis.
The Vikings play the Cowboys this week.
I’ve been looking forward to this game for a long time.
Dak Prescott is hurt and might not play.
But I hope he does.
This is the type of matchup this Minnesota team was built for. Specifically with the defensive improvements the Vikings made this offseason, and the firepower they have on offense.
Playing a team like Dallas is actually a favorable matchup for Minnesota. Their versatility will allow them to play a ball control offense if their defense is having success, or they have enough weapons to get into a shootout if Dak and company turn out to be too much to handle.
I like their chances to win this game in any fashion in which it needs to be done.
I also think they’ll use this victory as a springboard to go on a little run here.
I know their schedule is tough, and losing Patrick Peterson for a few games certainly hurts, but I believe Minnesota’s roster is actually better built to play against the tougher teams in the league.
They battled Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Arizona this year down to the wire. Solid arguments can be made that they should have beaten the Bengals and/or the Cardinals and be sitting at 4-2 or 5-1 right now.
Their upcoming games on the schedule against the Cowboys, Ravens, Chargers, and Packers should be no different. I expect Minnesota to be right there with all these teams at the end of the season.
Most fans and writers are saying this will be a ‘prove it’ stretch for the team, and it’ll be ‘all about survival.’
I disagree. I expect the Vikings to use this game Sunday night as a springboard to winning something like 6 of their next 7 or 8 of 10…Something in that area where they are playing well, everyone is on the same page, and winning the majority of their games.
And even if I’m wrong about that prediction (I won’t be) their schedule cools off a little bit after that Green Bay game. So even if they’re sitting at 5-5 after they play that 4 game stretch they’ll still have the playoffs well within their sights.
I’m officially predicting a Minnesota Vikings victory this week.
I think the defense will play great, Dak or no Dak.
I think Cook will run the ball well and they will succesfully get back to using him more in the screen passing game.
I think Cousins will put up solid numbers, again.
And I think this will be Tyler Conklin’s coming out party on a national stage.
I’ll Take Minnesota 31-20 over Dallas.
SEASON LOCK RECORD: 6-4
SEASON VIKINGS RECORD: 5-1 (6-0 ATS)