Despite Loss, Vikings Almost Touchdown Favorites Over Bengals

NFL News - December 8th, 2009 - Written by John

In an inter-conference match up of division rivals, both Cincinnati and Minnesota will be looking to get a win when they play each other this week in Minnesota. The Vikings are coming off their worst performance of the season, losing to the Arizona Cardinals, while Cincinnati beat Detroit at home.

The NFL Week 14 Betting Odds have installed Minnesota as an early 6 1/2 point favorite to take care of business at home according to BetUS. The Vikings has yet to lose in the Metrodome this year, with their only two losses coming on the road to Pittsburgh and Arizona. The over/under is currently sitting at 44 for the contest.

Brett Favre has been putting up MVP like numbers for the Vikings this year, however struggled at Arizona throwing two interceptions. To put that into context, before the game, Favre had only thrown three interceptions the entire season.

"I made some decisions that I haven't made up to this point," Favre said after the game, "and I'm disappointed about it."

In that game Favre set the NFL record for consecutive appearances, at 283.

Minnesota managed on 62 yard on the ground, which forced Favre to try and make plays with his arm, something he has been able to do all year, until last week. Adrian Peterson had 19 yards rushing on 13 carries, which equals out to a yard and a half per carry. The Vikings will be looking to establish their ground game this week, to regain their balance on offense.

The AFC North leading Bengal brings their 9-3 record looking to sew up the division in the next couple of weeks. Running back Cedric Benson returned this past week against the Lions after being gone the two previous weeks to injury. In that game he put up his fifth 100-yard effort of the year.

With the win, the Bengals have assured themselves an above .500 record for only the second time in the last 19 seasons. The Bengals are 3-0 versus the NFC this year and will look for this trend to continue in Minnesota.

"It puts us in a great position," said Chad Ochocinco following the victory over Detroit. "We don't have to depend on other people to win. We control our own destiny at this point. It's a very, very, very good feeling for us as a team and a city. It's pretty cool, man."

Minnesota is 2-7 ATS with teams sporting winning records. The Bengals are a stifling 6-0 ATS versus a team with a winning record, a statistic that no doubt favors the Bengals in this contest. The Bengals are also 4-0 this season on the road as an underdog.