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Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings NFL Picks & Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

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Atlanta and Minnesota both did what they had to do to keep their postseason hopes alive last week. The Falcons edged out NFC South rival Tampa Bay in an overtime win and the Vikings thrashed NFC West-champion Arizona to stay atop the NFC North. Odds makers have predicted a close one between these two 9-5 teams, listing the Vikings as the 3-point favorite with the total set at 44.

NFL betting on the Atlanta Falcons has been a much more lucrative investment that most anyone could have imagined this season. They are 8-6 against the spread on the season but the road has been a bit of an Achilles heel. The Falcons are just 3-4 straight up and against the spread on the road this season.

Atlanta’s big turnaround can be chalked up to a few very good moves. One of those moves was bringing in running back Michael Turner. The former San Diego Charger backup rushed for his 15th touchdown of the season to break the Falcons record of 14 set by Jamal Anderson in 1998. He finished the game with 152 yards on a solid Buccaneers defense. The performance marked Turner’s seventh 100-yard rushing game of the season. He has 1,421 yards on the season. Another one of those moves was drafting rookie QB Matt Ryan to be the face of the franchise. His play already has Falcons fans and management alike forgetting about Michael Vick. Ryan was 15 of 23 for 206 yards in last week’s win. He has completed 60 percent of his passes or better in 11 of 14 games and has also gone nine straight games with over 200 yards passing. Wide receiver Roddy White has been his go-to-guy. White moved into ninth place in career receiving yards in franchise history and will likely have every Falcons receiving record in his back back pocket before his career is through. If you like Atlanta to continue its improbable run to the playoffs, bet the Falcons at +3 at BetUS.

Atlanta will face a stiff test from a very good Vikings defense this Sunday. Minnesota is allowing only 16.7 ppg at home this season and just 68 rushing yards per contest in the Metrodome. Offensively, the Vikings have been tough to stop on the ground with running back Adrian Peterson having a remarkable season. The Vikings are averaging 168 rushing yards per game at home. But if Minnesota is going to win its fifth straight, it is going to need another solid performance from Tarvaris Jackson. Jackson threw four touchdown passes, had no interceptions, and had an impressive 135.5 passer rating against the Cardinals. If Gus Frerotte is ready to play this Sunday, coach Brad Childress will be faced to make a decision, but it’s going to be tough to sit a guy who threw three first-half touchdown passes against the best in the West.

While Minnesota has beaten the NFL lines in three of the last four weeks, NFL picks on the Vikings are just 6-8 against the spread this season. The Vikings have to feel good about playing at home where they are 5-1 on the season. Minnesota beat the Falcons 24-3 at home as a 3-point favorite last season. If you think Minnesota will continue to rise to the occasion with the Chicago Bears breathing down its neck, bet the Vikings at -3 at BetUS and receive up to 145% in sign up bonuses.

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