The Minnesota Vikings are featured in the ever so dangerous ‘Double-Digit Dog’ role this weekend when they host the Green Bay Packers with NFL odds favoring the road squad by -10 points.
Green Bay has played over the total in nine of ten games this season and leads the league in scoring with 33 points per game. They have the New England Patriots on-deck for what should be a classic shootout and the last time the Patriots visited Lambeau they shut the home side down 35-0. That creates a small look-ahead situation for the big favorite this week and we’re seeing some nice dog value on an improving, young team.
The Vikings were off a home win against Atlanta with rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater the last time these teams met but the problem is that Bridgewater injured his ankle late in the game. Minnesota had to turn to Christian Ponder for his first start at Green Bay and he was horrible, going 22 for 44 with two interceptions. The Vikings also fumbled once (Asiata), gave up six QB sacks and took nine penalties.
Bridgewater has started all five games since the Lambeau loss and his record is 3-3 straight-up and 4-2 ATS. The Vikes have averaged 127 rushing yards and 329 total yards while allowing 346 yards. He’s faced a couple really tough D’s (Buffalo, Detroit) and the fall-off from there goes Redskins, Bears, Falcons and Bucs. Bridgewater’s worst outing was the home divisional game against Detroit but that was his first game back from injury and the Lions were coming in hot off a home loss to Buffalo. From there, Minnesota’s scoring had increased every game (3-16-19-29) up until last week’s 21-13 loss in Chicago. That was a tough spot for any team to walk into; the Bears coming off one of their most humiliating losses in memory to Green Bay, 55-14.
Asiata is likely out for this game but Jerick McKinnon (back) is probable and the Vikings have also picked up Ben Tate. In the second-half of the season these big divisional home dogs have an 18-5 record against the number and given the revenge factor, Minnesota is a live dog.
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