Posts Tagged ‘Minnesota Vikings’
August 22nd, 2009
Yesterday Brett Favre played in his first game for the Minnesota Vikings. The fans were very excited to see #4 in purple after all the year of torment they caused for him when he was a member of the Green Bay Packers. I for one think that the fans have a right to be very excited and that Brett Favre is the missing piece that will bring the Vikings to the superbowl.
This may sound like a bold statement to some but let’s look at a few things that are already in place for the Vikings.
A strong running game: The Vikings already have possibly the best running back in the NFL in Adrian Peterson. Last year the all pro ran for over 1,700 yards and scored ten touchdowns and this was without an established quarterback. Defenses had the luxury of keying in on him and stacking the box with as many players as needed to try and stop the run. With Favre in place it forces the defense to respect the option to pass and may free up Peterson for a big season.
A Stout Defense: The Vikings over the recent years have built a respectable defense that can shut down even the best offenses in the league. Last year, the Vikings defensive unit ranked 6th overall in the NFL and first against the run, their third straight year they led the league in that category. The number six ranking was their highest ranking since 1994. But despite fielding one of the best defensive units in the league, the Vikes feel like they can get better. They return all but one starter from this great defense from a year ago and have looked good in preseason and in camp.
Familiar environment: Brett Favre said that the reason he struggled so much with the Jets last year is because he spent all week trying to figure out the offense and he did not have any time to work on the opposing defense. In Minnesota he gets to work with the same offense he had for 16 years in Green Bay. This will give him time to focus on the defense and attack it better every Sunday.
Here are the latest NFL Future odds for the Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are +1200 to win the Superbowl
The Vikings are +500 to win the NFC Championship
The Vikings are +140 to win the NFC North
One player cannot win a Superbowl it takes an entire team to go the distance in the NFL. For the Vikings they now have all of those pieces and this year have the best shot they have had in a long time to go all the way and play in the Superbowl!
There is plenty to rant about in the sports world with all of the great games and players but most of my rants this week are about off the field actions. The rants will cover Jerry Jones and why his problems may be just starting, Alabama losing even when they are winning, and why you have to be rooting Michael Vick to play in the NFL again.
This week it was reported that the Alabama Crimson Tide football team will forfeit some wins. This is due to a violation for free textbooks. The school found 22 athletes that were misusing scholarships and giving textbooks to other students. This one was easy to rant about. It looks like that Alabama may forfeit some wins but they will not forfeit scholarships or championships and in college football that is all that matters. This is the second time that Alabama has been under the microscope for violations and this punishment was a joke. If you want these colleges to follow the rules they have to make the punishment severe which is why teams like Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers make a mockery of the system and dare it to punish them. Until they do this type of behavior will not stop.
The only person that may have had a worst week then Alabama is Jerry Jones. It was announced this week that Jones and the Dallas Cowboys knew of an earlier collapse of the same facility that collapsed earlier this year injuring several people. Jerry has to come out publicly announce he was at fault, take the blame and pay some people. This is a media disaster for the Cowboys and it has to stop and it starts with Jerry Jones.
It was announced today that the Falcons released ex QB Michael Vick. This had to be done because no one was going to make a trade for the embattled player. As a fan of the game you want to see Michael Vick in the NFL again. Let PETA worry about beating him up and you can be assured they will. The bottom line is he did his time and if he has stayed in shape, he can be a star again. In his last season in the league he set rushing records for a quarterback and after he shakes off the rust he will be good again. With quarterbacks being hard to come by today in the game someone will take a chance on him and they will be rewarded.
Posted by Matthew Regaw in Rants | No Comments »Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama on probation, Atlanta Falcons, Brett Favre, college football, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys practice facility, forfeit wins, free agent, Jerry Jones, Lane Kiffen, Michael Vick, Michael Vick released, Michael Vick waived, Minnesota Vikings, ncaa, nfl, Nick Saban, PETA, probation, Tennessee Volunteers
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June 12th, 2009
There is plenty to rant about in the sports world with all of the great games and players but most of my rants this week are about off the field actions. The rants will cover Jerry Jones and why his problems may be just starting, Alabama losing even when they are winning, and why you have to be rooting Michael Vick to play in the NFL again.
This week it was reported that the Alabama Crimson Tide football team will forfeit some wins. This is due to a violation for free textbooks. The school found 22 athletes that were misusing scholarships and giving textbooks to other students. This one was easy to rant about. It looks like that Alabama may forfeit some wins but they will not forfeit scholarships or championships and in college football that is all that matters. This is the second time that Alabama has been under the microscope for violations and this punishment was a joke. If you want these colleges to follow the rules they have to make the punishment severe which is why teams like Alabama and the Tennessee Volunteers make a mockery of the system and dare it to punish them. Until they do this type of behavior will not stop.
The only person that may have had a worst week then Alabama is Jerry Jones. It was announced this week that Jones and the Dallas Cowboys knew of an earlier collapse of the same facility that collapsed earlier this year injuring several people. Jerry has to come out publicly announce he was at fault, take the blame and pay some people. This is a media disaster for the Cowboys and it has to stop and it starts with Jerry Jones.
It was announced today that the Falcons released ex QB Michael Vick. This had to be done because no one was going to make a trade for the embattled player. As a fan of the game you want to see Michael Vick in the NFL again. Let PETA worry about beating him up and you can be assured they will. The bottom line is he did his time and if he has stayed in shape, he can be a star again. In his last season in the league he set rushing records for a quarterback and after he shakes off the rust he will be good again. With quarterbacks being hard to come by today in the game someone will take a chance on him and they will be rewarded.
Posted by Matthew Regaw in Rants | No Comments »Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Alabama on probation, Atlanta Falcons, Brett Favre, college football, Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys practice facility, forfeit wins, free agent, Jerry Jones, Lane Kiffen, Michael Vick, Michael Vick released, Michael Vick waived, Minnesota Vikings, ncaa, nfl, Nick Saban, PETA, probation, Tennessee Volunteers
January 4th, 2009
NFL Playoff Preview
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-6)
Sunday, 4:30PM Eastern
Bookmaker.com betting line – Philadelphia -3, 42 O/U
The Philadelphia Eagles won 4 of their last 5 games to surge into the playoffs capping off the season with a huge 44-6 blowout over the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles captured the final wildcard spot in the NFC and travel to the Metrodome to battle the Vikings. Minnesota captured a big win over the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants in week 17 to seal the NFC North. The Vikings have also played well towards the end of the year winning 5 of their last 6 games down the stretch. Minnesota and Philadelphia are both playing their best football at this point in the season and this game has the makings for a classic battle.
Philadelphia has been striving ever since QB Donovan Mcnabb was pulled out of the game against the Baltimore Ravens. Since, Mcnabb has had a chip on his shoulder with something to prove leading the Eagles to an offensive breakout averaging 30 points in their last 5 games. The Eagles defense has also responded fabulously to the emerging offense. The Eagles defense has not allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points in their last 4 games. That is big accomplishments considering those games were from high power offenses like New York and Dallas. The Eagles have allowed an incredible 8.25 points per game in their last month of football. A big statistic heading into this game to consider is the play of the Philadelphia rush defense. The Eagles will take on one of the best rushing offenses in the NFL and the league’s leading rusher Adrian Peterson. However, Philadelphia sports the 4th best rush defense in the NFL only allowing 92 yards per game this season. The Eagles defense will have to stand strong again this Sunday to maintain the Minnesota ground game.
Minnesota has had an emergence on offense as well late in the season. The Vikings averaged 22 points per game this season and nearly 27 points in their last 6 games. Minnesota has found success through the big performances behind running back Adrian Peterson. Peterson is the NFL’s leading rushing racking up 1,760 yards this season. Peterson has also added 10 touchdowns this season becoming one of the best looking backs in the NFL despite this only being his 2nd season. Minnesota will need their defense to play a supporting cast this Sunday to slow down the Eagles balanced offense. Minnesota has been very strong against the run this season allowing an NFL best 77 yards per game. However, Minnesota has been subject to give up some big plays through the air on defense. The Vikings must not give up any big plays from Eagles QB Donovan McNabb this Sunday and control the ground for a chance to continue on in the playoffs.
What to watch for…
The Vikings ground game vs. the Eagles passing game will be the difference maker. I expect both these offensive sides to have success, but one will break through likely deciding who wins this game. Philadelphia opened a lot of eyes with their blowout over the Cowboys last week and the betting lines are favoring them in this game. The Eagles will get the chance to prove they are a team to be reckoned with when they get the Vikings in the Wildcard Round.
Betting Trends…
The Vikings have lost 3 of their last 4 games ATS and are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games at home. Minnesota has reached the under total in 3 of their last 4 games as well. Philadelphia on the other hand is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games and a strong 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games on the road. The total has also gone on the under in 4 of the Eagles’ last 5 games.
The last time these two teams met was all the way back in the 2004 season when the Eagles defeated the Vikings twice, once in the regular season and once in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Pick – Eagles are poised to make a deep run and I think they will be around longer than one week. Take Philadelphia -3
December 13th, 2008
NFL Betting Preview
Minnesota Vikings (8-5) at Arizona Cardinals (8-5)
Sunday, 4:05 pm Eastern – FOX
SBG Global Opening Line: Cardinals - 3 , Total 47
The Arizona Cardinals may have clinched the NFC West and a playoff spot but they are not going to be resting players this week against the Minnesota Vikings. “We’ve got to improve our seed,” Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “That’s the first and foremost thing. … That’s what these next three weeks are about; putting ourselves in the best position we can going into the playoffs. We can officially now say we’re in the playoffs. Now we want to get into the best spot that we can.” SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Cardinals at Home.
The Vikings are in a good position to win the NFC North and with a win over Arizona and a loss by the Bears they would clinch their first playoff spot in three years. Minnesota will probably have to win on Sunday with Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback since Gus Frerotte is still recovering from a back injury that forced him out of last week’s game. Jackson played well in relief of Frerotte last week in the win over Detroit but has never been very effective as a starter.
Arizona has no issues at quarterback as Kurt Warner is having an MVP type season. He threw for 279 yards last week in the win over the Rams as Arizona improved to 5-1 at home this season. The Cardinals are 11-3 at home since Whisenhunt took over as head coach in 2007.
The last meeting between the Vikings and Cardinals occurred two years ago in Minnesota as the Vikings won 31-26. Here are the NFL betting stats for Sunday’s game. The Vikings are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
The Vikings are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 road games. The Vikings are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. the NFC. The Vikings are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games in December. The Vikings are 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings between the two teams.
The Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games. The Cardinals are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games in December.
SBG Global Current Line: Cardinals - 3 , Total 46.5
The Over is 5-2 in the Vikings last 7 games overall. The Over is 5-2 in the Vikings last 7 road games. The Over is 7-1 in the Cardinals last 8 home games. The Over is 11-2 in the Cardinals last 13 games in December. The Over is 25-10 in the Cardinals last 35 games overall. The Over is 38-18 in the Cardinals last 56 vs. the NFC.
Pick: Cardinals 4 out of 5 units
November 30th, 2008
NFL Betting Preview
Chicago Bears (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (6-5)
Sunday, 8:15 pm Eastern – NBC
SBG Global Opening Line: Vikings - 3.5 , Total 42
The top spot in the NFC North is on the line Sunday night as the Chicago Bears visit the Minnesota Vikings. Both teams won last week to move a game in front of the Green Bay Packers. The game may be more critical to the Vikings considering the remaining schedule for each team. The Bears have three of their four remaining games at home and all look winnable against Jacksonville, New Orleans and Green Bay. Their one remaining road game is also winnable at Houston. The Vikings have a much tougher slate although next week’s game against Detroit looks like a win. Minnesota finishes at Arizona, home against Atlanta and home against the Giants. SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Vikings at Home.
This could be an offensive shootout on Sunday night. The Vikings have Adrian Peterson leading their offense and a suddenly efficient passing attack with Gus Frerotte. The Bears can also run the ball effectively with Matt Forte and Kyle Orton is capable of making big plays. The Bears outscored the Vikings in their earlier meeting this season 48-41. The Bears are averaging 316.4 yards per game and Minnesota is averaging 321.4 yards per game.
Here are the NFL betting stats for Sunday’s game. The Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 13. The Bears are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 games following a win. The Bears are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two teams.
The Vikings are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall. The Vikings are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. The Vikings are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. the NFC North. The home team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings between the two teams.
SBG Global Current Line: Vikings - 3.5 , Total 42
The Under is 7-0 in the Bears last 7 road games. The Under is 5-2 in the Bears last 7 games overall. The Over is 26-11-1 in the Bears last 38 vs. the NFC. The Over is 5-1 in the Vikings last 6 games in November. The Over is 4-1 in the Vikings last 5 games overall. The Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings between the two teams.
Pick: Vikes 2 out of 5 units
October 6th, 2008
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, 5th 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
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September 28th, 2008
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
September 8th, 2008
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
August 23rd, 2008
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.
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