Minnesota Vikings (1-3) at New Orleans Saints (2-2)
Monday, 8:35 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Saints  -  3   ,  Total  47

The New Orleans Saints defense will be tested on Monday night as Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings come to town.  The Saints have given up almost 1,500 yards this season, 5^th worst in the NFL.  If they expect to win on Monday night they will have to find a way to stop Peterson. “We’ve seen some real good runners both at home and on the road, but this guy is the best we’ve seen to date,” New Orleans head coach Sean Payton said, “That’s no slight on anyone that we’ve played to date, but there’s something else about him and the guys blocking for him are something else. (Peterson’s) big and strong - he’s exceptional.”
SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Saints at Home.

The Saints usually do the opposite of the Vikings and that is throwing the ball. Quarterback Drew Brees is the leagues third-highest rated quarterback and the Saints lead the league with 327.3 passing yards per game.  The Saints have had very little success recently against Minnesota, losing six of the last seven matchups and 17 of 24 overall.  The last meeting between the two teams at New Orleans was in 2004 and Minnesota won 38-31.

Here are the NFL betting stats for Monday’s game.  The Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games. The Vikings are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Vikings are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

The Saints are 4-9 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. The Saints are 7-16-1 ATS in their last 24 home games. The Saints are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in Week 5. The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.

The Over is 8-0 in the Vikings last 8 games in Week 5. The Under is 8-2 in the Vikings last 10 Monday games. The Over is 7-3 in the Vikings last 10 games on field turf.

SBG Global Current Line: Saints  -  3   ,  Total  46.5

The Over is 8-0-1 in the Saints last 9 games on field turf. The Over is 6-0-1 in the Saints last 7 home games. The Over is 8-0-1 in the Saints last 9 games overall. The Over is 14-3-1 in the Saints last 18 vs. the NFC. The Over is 5-2 in the Saints last 7 games in October. The Over is 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.

Pick Vikes 3 out of 5 units

Minnesota Vikings (1-2) at Tennessee Titans (3-0)
Sunday, 1:00 pm Eastern – FOX

SBG Global Opening Line: Titans - 3 , Total 36

The unbeaten Tennessee Titans host the Minnesota Vikings in what should be an entertaining game on Sunday. The Vikings have the exciting Adrian Peterson while the Titans have a tough defense and an efficient offense. The Titans will be trying for their best start in franchise history. They are 3-0 for only the third time and the first since 1999, the year they went to the Super Bowl. The Titans are two games up on Indianapolis in the AFC South.

“It’s still so early,” said head coach Jeff Fisher, “What we’re trying to do is just build wins, just trying to win the next one. Six, seven weeks from now, we can start talking on those lines.”

SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Titans at Home.

The Titans boast a defense that has allowed less than 10 points per game.

“It’s still young in the season. It’s just the first quarter,” Titans linebacker David Thornton said. “If we go out and lay eggs in the second, third and fourth part of the season, this strong start can really be in vain. It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish, and we must continue to persevere for the duration of the season.” The Titans also have an offense led by rookie Chris Johnson who leads the AFC in rushing with 276 yards.

The Vikings have won the last four meetings with the Titans. Here are more NFL betting stats for Sunday’s game. The Vikings are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Vikings are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Vikings are 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games in Week 4.

The Titans are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games in September. The Titans are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record. The Titans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Titans are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 4.

SBG Global Current Line: Titans - 3 , Total 36

The Under is 7-2-1 in the Vikings last 10 games in September. The Under is 5-2 in the Vikings last 7 games in Week 4. The Under is 15-7-1 in the Vikings last 23 games on grass.

The Under is 6-1 in the Titans last 7 games in September. The Under is 5-1 in the Titans last 6 games overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Titans last 5 games on grass. The Over is 8-2-1 in the Titans last 11 games in Week 4.

Pick: Titans -3 4 out of 5 units

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, 7:00 pm Eastern – ESPN

SBG Global Opening Line: Packers  -  3   ,  Total  39

The Green Bay Packers will look decidedly different as they open up the 2008 regular season on Monday as long-time quarterback Brett Favre is gone and understudy Aaron Rodgers has the job.  Rodgers will get a real test of what it should be like as he opens up at home against NFC North rival Minnesota. It has been Favre at quarterback since 1992 so things will definitely be different on Monday. “It’s been a difficult time the last few months as far as the attention I’ve gotten, but I think I’m ready for it.” Rodgers said, “I know it’s going to be amped up once the season starts, I’m going to be scrutinized, but that’s the job of being an NFL quarterback.” SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Packers at Home.

Rodgers has a lot of weapons at his disposal.  Receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings had more than 900 yards last season and running back Ryan Grant finished the season spectacularly.  Green Bay also had a defense that was superb, allowing only 18.2 points per game last season, second in the NFC. “I think we’re going to be tough to run on, tough to pass on,” defensive tackle Ryan Pickett said. “I think we’ll be a top defense in the NFL.”

Minnesota also has a tough defense.  They were the best in the NFL last season against the run but struggled against the pass.  That may change this season since they signed pass rushing specialist Jared Allen.  The question for Minnesota is on offense where quarterback Tarvaris Jackson has yet to play well in the regular season.  The good news is that the Vikings have one of the best players in the NFL in running back Adrian Peterson who had 1,341 yards rushing while scoring 13 touchdowns last season.

SBG Global Current Line: Packers  -  2.5   ,  Total  38

Here are the NFL betting stats for Monday’s game.  The Vikings have lost the last four meeting against Green Bay. The Vikings are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 1. The Vikings are 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 games in September. The Vikings are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 vs. NFC North. The Vikings are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings in Green Bay. The Underdog is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings between the two teams and the road team is 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings.

The Packers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in September. The Packers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. The Packers are 16-5-1 ATS in their last 22 games overall. The Packers are 14-5-2 ATS in their last 21 vs. the NFC. The Packers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 vs. the NFC North. The Packers are 13-6-1 ATS in their last 20 Monday games.

The Under is 4-0 in the Vikings last 4 Monday games. The Under is 5-1-1 in the Vikings last 7 games in September. The Under is 6-2-1 in the Vikings last 9 road games.

The Over is 5-0 in the Packers last 5 home games. The Under is 4-0 in the Packers last 4 games in Week 1. The Over is 8-0 in the Packers last 8 vs. the NFC. The Over is 5-1 in the Packers last 6 vs. the NFC North. The Over is 14-3 in the Packers last 17 games overall. The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Green Bay.

Picks Record To Date: 1-1 -1.20 units

Pick: Vikes 2units

NFL Preseason Betting Preview
Pittsburgh Steelers at Minnesota Vikings
Saturday, 8:00 pm Eastern – CBS

SBG Global Opening Line: Vikings  -  2.5 ,  Total  37

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to have quarterback Tarvaris Jackson under center on Saturday night as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.  Jackson sprained his knee last week against Baltimore but is expected to start on Saturday.  Most of the starters for both teams will play into the third quarter.

“You treat it like a regular season game because you are going to be out there longer,” said Pittsburgh running back Willie Parker. “I am out there trying to get better. It’s a preseason game but it’s time to see where we are at as a team.” SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Steelers on the Road.

The Steelers will go with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for at least the first half and then Byron Leftwich will get more playing time.    He played last week against the Bills and went 5-11 for 41 yards. “I am feeling more comfortable,” said Leftwich. “I have a better understanding of what we are trying to do offensively. It was a tough situation last week when I only had two days. At the same time it’s getting better. I don’t want to say I am fully getting the offense but I am getting the offense to the point where I know where the ball needs to go and what we are trying to do. I am looking forward to it because I have a week to prepare instead of two days. I am anxious and excited to go back out there on Saturday.”  Pittsburgh is still trying to find cohesiveness on the offensive line.  They lost Alan Faneca in the off-season and are trying to find the right combination upfront. Chris Kemoeatu started the first two preseason games at left guard, Sean Mahan started at center against the Eagles and Justin Hartwig will get his second start of the preseason this week.  “We have to get used to the people that are in there,” said Parker. “We are shuffling people around. There are some new faces. We have to get a feel for the line and get comfortable with the set line. It really doesn’t affect me. It makes me better. Some offensive linemen do things different or better than others so it keeps me on my toes how I make my reads.” 

SBG Global Current Line: Steelers  -  2.5 ,  Total  37

NFL betting stats show that the teams have met 10 times in the preseason with the Vikings winning 8 of the 10 games.  Minnesota won the last preseason meeting 17-10 in 2006.  This is the first preseason meeting between the two teams in Minnesota since 2001.  Pittsburgh has not defeated the Vikings in the preseason since 2002.  Pittsburgh is 105-95-1 all-time in preseason play.  Minnesota is 130-84-3 all-time in the preseason.  Minnesota has finished at .500 or better in 37 of their 47 preseasons.