NFL Football Picks and Tips: Oakland To Meet Vikings In Minnesota
Saturday, November 19, 2011
by Aengus Moorehead
Analysis:
While the Oakland Raiders had a few extra days to savor their biggest victory of this 2011 season, the Minnesota Vikings won't have much time to try to shake off their worst beating in a decade when the struggling club hosts the current AFC West leaders in Sunday's inter-conference showdown from the Metrodome.
The Raiders took over as the new front-runners in the wacky AFC West after coming through with a pivotal 24-17 Thursday night win at division-rival San Diego on Nov. 10, placing the Silver and Black one game ahead of the Chargers, Denver and Kansas City in the crowded race.
Oakland, which entered the contest off potentially-damaging home losses to both the Chiefs and Broncos, bounced back with inspired performances on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Carson Palmer had by far his best outing since joining the team in a midseason trade, second-string running back Michael Bush piled up 242 yards from scrimmage in place of injured standout Darren McFadden and linebacker Kamerion Wimbley registered four sacks to lead a defense that took down San Diego signal-caller Philip Rivers six times and intercepted him twice.
Palmer amassed 299 yards on only 14 completions in his second start and third appearance as a Raider, while connecting on two long touchdown passes to rookie receiver Denarius Moore.
Another big effort out of Bush would aid Oakland's cause as well. The powerful back finished with 157 rushing yards and a touchdown on 30 carries against the Chargers while adding three catches totaling 85 yards in a superb stand-in for McFadden, who's considered doubtful for Sunday's tilt while recovering from a sprained foot.
While the Raiders are flying high off their Week 10 triumph, the Vikings are in the process of recovering from a 45-7 shellacking at the hands of defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay on Monday, Minnesota's most lopsided defeat since a 41-0 throttling by the New York Giants in the 2010 NFC Championship.
The Vikings were bombarded right from the start by the still-unbeaten Packers, allowing a punt return score to rookie Randall Cobb less than two minutes in and a 70-yard touchdown drive on Green Bay's ensuing possession. Minnesota gave up four touchdown passes in all to top MVP candidate Aaron Rodgers and was continually crippled by penalties as well, with the team flagged 10 times for 80 yards on the night.
The loss dropped Minnesota to 2-7 on the season, the club's worst record after nine games since 2002.
The Vikings will also have to overcome further depletions to an already-ravaged secondary that's surrendered the third-most passing yards in the NFL and 18 touchdowns through the air thus far.
Minnesota is also without young cornerback Chris Cook, who's been barred from participating in team activities following an arrest on felony assault charges last month.
Oakland is 3-1 on the road this season and will be aiming for a third straight win away from home.
Time & Venue:
- 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 20, 2011. Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Last Week's results:
- Oakland Raiders (+7) beats host San Diego Chargers 24-17
- Minnesota Vikings (+13.5) loses to host Green Bay Packers 45-7.
Last week's ATS:
- Underdog Oakland Raiders (5-4) wins outright
- Underdog Minnesota Vikings (2-7) loses and does not cover.
NFL Football Odds: Raiders -1, O/U 45
Next up:
- Oakland home to Chicago, Sunday, November 27
- Minnesota at Atlanta, Sunday, November 27
Minnesota’s secondary is in shambles after Antoine Winfield was lost for the season when he suffered a broken clavicle Monday. Defensive end Jared Allen could help, though, by putting pressure on Palmer. He has at least one-half sack in a franchise-record 11 straight games and leads the NFL with 13.5. The Vikings could also try to use running back Adrian Peterson as a way to keep the Raiders’ offense off the field. Peterson is fifth in the NFL with 846 yards, 71 behind leader Fred Jackson of Buffalo.
Despite the loss of McFadden, the Raiders’ running game hasn’t sputtered as Bush has averaged 117.3 rushing yards in his last three games. Bush also had a career-high 85 receiving yards last week and his 242 yards from scrimmage were the most by a Raider since 1963. Wide receiver Jacoby Ford has an injured foot, too, and is doubtful to play. Palmer was 14 of 20 for 299 yards last week and formed a bond with rookie wide receiver Denarius Moore, who caught two touchdown passes.
Oakland's success this season has been predicated on whether or not the defense is able to adequately contain the run, In the five games in which the Raiders have allowed 100 rushing yards or less, they've won each time. Conversely, they've given up a troubling average of 211 rushing yards per game in their four defeats. The Vikings are a good running team and have a true difference- maker in Peterson, and keeping him from going ballistic will be a challenge for Oakland's inconsistent group.
The Raiders will be sure to attack a Minnesota secondary that's been beset by injuries and off-field issues throughout this season and was hardly an air- tight crew when it was at full strength. Oakland isn't a dink-and-dunk sort of team -- it prefers to swing for the fences when throwing the ball -- and the Vikings won't have much of a chance if their defensive backs let the Raiders' lightning-fast receivers get behind them for big plays.
Minnesota is capable of winning this game if Christian Ponder performed like he did in a victory at Carolina two weeks back, when the rookie threw for 236 yards on a sharp 18-of-28 passing and didn't have a turnover. It'll be tough to come out on top if he's hitting on half of his attempts, however. Likewise, Palmer needs to be the guy who skillfully bombed away on the Chargers and not the quarterback who was giving the ball away at will in his first two games as a Raider.
Oakland linebacker Kamerion Wimbley had a career-high four sacks last week.
The Vikings signed cornerback Benny Sapp, who was victimized by Tom Brady, Wes Welker and the Patriots in Week 1 and released by the Dolphins the following day.
Minnesota's Christian Ponder has three touchdowns and three interceptions in three starts since taking over for Donovan McNabb.
Minnesota is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
Minnesota is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
Minnesota is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games
Oakland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oakland is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Oakland is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The Raiders are the better of these two teams and have played well on the road, and a repeat of their most recent effort would surely get the job against a Minnesota outfit that has its share of liabilities. They've also been wildly erratic, however, as the back-to-back home losses to the Chiefs and Broncos will attest, and Peterson could pose a major problem for a defense that's been suspect against the run.
The Vikings won't be as overmatched as they were on Monday and should be eager to atone for a brutal performance, and it's unlikely Bush will have quite the impact he did in the San Diego game this time around. In a matchup in which neither participant inspires a great deal of confidence, Minnesota's potent running game and Oakland's tendency to throw in a clunker may give the home team an ever-so-slight edge.Bet on NFL Football games with Bodog Sportsbook, click here!
NFL Football Pick: Take Vikings.
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Category
Tags
aaron rodgers - adrian peterson - antoine winfield - benny sapp - carson palmer - chris cook - christian ponder - darren mcfadden - denarius moore - donovan mcnabb
