Monday Night Football Preview
Added on Aug 30, 2009 by sbworld in
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SEASONED BETTORS DON’T FEAR THE FAVRE
The line for this game opened at Texans -3. When the Vikings announced that Brett Favre would be playing the entire first half, money started coming in on the Texans, driving the juice up to -120. Now on Saturday, two days before this Monday night contest, the line is -3.5 at most shops. Is there that much reason to fear Favre in this game? Last week, he flew into Minnesota and played the first two series of the game versus the Chiefs with barely enough time to warm up his old arm beforehand. Not surprisingly, he went a measly one out of four for four yards. Brett is, however, very familiar with this offense and will benefit from this game being a Monday nighter instead of a Saturday or earlier game like everyone else has here in week #3. That’s a pretty good chunk of time to practice and study the playbook.
Tavaris Jackson had a fantastic game last week, going twelve for fifteen while leading the Vikings to a come from behind victory. Even if a still slightly rusty Favre doesn’t do anything spectacular in the first half, the Vikings will have a good advantage in the QB matchup in the 2nd half when Tavaris and Dan Orlovsky of the Texans exchange series. I can see Matt Schaub playing one series in the 3rd quarter, but I doubt he goes more than that.
The Vikings’ defense has been very good so far this preseason, especially their pass defense. The Vikings have had one of the stoutest run defenses in the league over the last few years with the Williams at nose tackle being immovable forces. If the Vikings have truly improved their pass defense they are approaching elite defensive status, a club with only two members right now, the Steelers and Ravens. Jared Allen, the sack specialist they acquired last year injured an ankle earlier this preseason, but I just read that he is going to play in this game, which is a huge boost for the Vikings’ defense in applying pressure to Schaub’s blindside.
Speaking of defense, I’m not sure you can use that word and “Texans” in the same sentence. They kept the Chiefs from scoring much in a Kansas City downpour in week #1, but were torched by the Saints last week through the air and on the ground. The Texans had a horrible defense last year and early signs point to little improvement. They will be at such a disadvantage versus the Vikings’ run game that they will have to put 8 men in the box on all but obvious passing downs, so whether it be Favre or Tarv, they should find some very favorable passing matchups on 1st, 2nd, and short yardage downs. In the end, the Vikings quarterbacks shouldn’t have to do anything spectacular to keep the Vikings in, and or leading, this game.
Clearly, the Texans’ have a better starting quarterback and group of receivers in this game, and will be a threat to score during the first half of this game. The problem for the Texans is that the Vikings will be a threat to score for the entire game, and will get enough points to win this game outright.
Final Score Prediction: Vikings 20 – Texans 19
