MNF News and Notes Week 5

Vikings (1-2) @ Jets (3-1) - Favre used Jets as conduit to Minnesota couple years ago, playing one half-hearted season in Jersey; now he adds Moss as an offensive threat, but how much of playbook can he learn this quick? Jets won seven of eight series games, winning all four played here by average of 19-11. Favre is personally 8-1 SU in game following his last nine byes; Vikes are 17-3 in game following last 20 byes, winning seven of last eight (5-2 as underdog in post-bye games). Jets' +8 turnover ratio leads NFL; they scored 32.3 ppg in three-game win streak (all vs division opponents), with 12 TDs on 32 drives. This is first outdoor game for Viking squad that is 13-38 on 3rd down, with seven turnovers in last two games (-2).

Vikings at Jets - The Vikings are 0-9 ATS (-13.8 ppg) since December 05, 2004 on the road when their opponent's season-to-date average pass attempts per game is fewer than 30. The Jets are 0-9 ATS (-10.0 ppg) since October 03, 1993 at home when they were up by at least a TD at the half and won by double-digits last week as a favorite. The Jets are 0-6 ATS (-8.9 ppg) since October 14, 2007 at home after playing on the road in each of the previous two weeks. The Vikings are 9-0 OU (14.6 ppg) since October 06, 1991 on the road when their dps was negative in their last three games. The Jets are 0-6-1 OU (-9.6 ppg) since November 22, 1992 as a favorite when they allowed at least 100 fewer yards passing last week than their season-to-date average in a straight up win.

Vikings at Jets: What Bettors Need to Know
By Steve Merril

CURRENT ODDS

New York opened as a 4.5-point favorite last week and the early money came in on the Vikings, especially once Minnesota acquired WR Randy Moss. New York dropped to 3.5-point chalk in some locations, but has since gone back up to a 4.5 after CB Darrelle Revis was upgraded to probable.

The over/under line has also been affected by both Moss and Revis. The total opened at 37.5 last week and quickly jumped to 39 after Moss was acquired by Minnesota, but dropped back down to 38 with Revis’ improved status.

INJURY REPORT

The Vikings acquired WR Randy Moss from New England mainly because Minnesota is still without last year’s top target Sidney Rice. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is listed as probable after injuring his hamstring last week. Shiancoe leads the team with 169 receiving yards this season.

Minnesota center John Sullivan (calf) is questionable and the team will take him to New York in case he's ready. Backup center Ryan Cook looked good in action last week against the Lions so there shouldn’t be too much of a drop off if Sullivan is ruled out.

The Jets’ injury report was filled with star players, but most are expected to play. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring), linebacker Calvin Pace (foot), defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee), center Nick Mangold, and tackle Wayne Hunter (shin) are all listed as probable.

NOT SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Brett Favre turned 41 on Sunday, but it’s unlikely anybody threw him a big birthday bash. Allegations have surfaced this week that Favre sent explicit photos and voicemail messages to a former female Jets’ employee when he played in New York back in 2008.

According to Favre and Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress, the situation is not an issue.

“It’s not a distraction to us at all. We just don’t let it be,” Childress said. “We address it, we talk about it, and then we’re done with it. We just talk about what's out there, look it right in the eye, deal with it to the extent we can. It doesn't affect anyone else in this locker room but Brett Favre.”

But if it affects your starting quarterback, doesn’t it affect your whole team? Childress’ comments make no sense. And since he and Favre don’t really get along as it is, it’ll be interesting to see what comes of this situation as it continues to play out.

MOSS VS. REVIS: Part II

All reports say that Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will be back on the field for this game against Minnesota. Revis is battling a hamstring injury, but since he and Randy Moss have exchanged words over the last couple of seasons, we’d be surprised if he doesn’t suit up for this game.

Moss and Revis just squared off back in Week 2 when Revis and the Jets beat the Patriots 28-14. Moss was ineffective in that game with only 2 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Revis accused Moss of quitting in the second half of that game, and Moss responded with this:

”Between me and him is a mutual thing,” Moss said. “I think he gets caught up a little bit with how he talks. I’ve never said anything about him, good or bad. I still give him his respect, but he hasn't given me mine yet. Sooner or later, I’ll get it.”

POINT OF ATTACK

Under head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets have made their name on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense was phenomenal last year, and it almost as good this season.

But New York’s offense has improved by leaps and bounds after the dismal 9-point effort in the season opener. Over their last three games, the Jets have scored 38, 31, and 28 points, while averaging close to 400 yards of offense per game.

The Jets will finally get their prized off-season acquisition on the field tonight as wide receiver Santonio Holmes returns from his four-game suspension. Holmes will only boost an attack unit that is already in terrific form.

“Adding Santonio to our offense is just going to be huge for us,” Ryan told reporters. “To add a terrific player like Santonio to what we already have, an offense that’s really been rolling…. it’s good.”

MNF - Vikings at Jets
By Kevin Rogers

There is no shortage of storylines on Monday night when the Vikings make their first trip to the new Meadowlands to battle the Jets. Brett Favre is no stranger to the Jets' fans after quarterbacking New York to a 9-7 mark in his lone season with them in 2008. Favre has been lacking a deep threat with Sidney Rice sidelined for at least another month, so the Vikings made the ultimate catch by reacquiring Randy Moss from the Patriots on Wednesday.

Moss was held to no catches in New England's 41-14 thrashing of Miami on Monday, and that was the last straw to his three-plus seasons in Foxboro. The Pro Bowl receiver showed plenty of displeasure regarding his current contract status, while quickly getting phased out of New England's future plans. Now, Moss returns to the Vikings after a brilliant seven-year career in Minnesota from 1998-2004.

All the focus on the Vikings this week may seem weird from a Jets' standpoint, as Rex Ryan's team has received plenty of publicity starting in training camp with HBO's "Hard Knocks." Now, the Jets are proving they are more than just a boisterous squad, winning three straight games after an opening week home loss to the Ravens.

New York picked up its second consecutive road triumph within the AFC East as the Jets diced up the winless Bills, 38-14. Following the nine-point effort against Baltimore, Mark Sanchez has led the Jets' offense to 28 points or more in each of the last three wins, while the second-year quarterback from USC has not thrown a single interception this season.

Past Sanchez's effectiveness, the other big story that has developed within New York's offense is the resurgence of LaDainian Tomlinson. The former Chargers' All-Pro ranks seventh in the NFL in rushing yards with 341, while reaching the end zone three times. Sanchez will be helped out this week with the insertion of ex-Steeler Santonio Holmes into the lineup, returning from a four-game suspension.

The Vikings are fresh off the bye week after picking up their first win of the season over the lowly Lions in Week 3. Minnesota covered as double-digit favorites in a 24-10 romping, capped off by an 80-yard touchdown scamper by Adrian Peterson. The Vikings finally found some offensive spark against Detroit after getting held to 19 points the first two games combined. The 'under' has cashed easily in all three games, with the Minnesota defense limiting opponents to 14 points or less in each contest.

The Jets are just 3-5 ATS as a home favorite under Ryan, as the win over the Patriots in Week 2 came as a short 'dog. New York has been a coin-flip proposition at home against NFC opponents since 2005, splitting 10 games. The Jets will hope that three times is a charm playing on Monday night since Ryan's hiring last season, as New York has lost both games to Baltimore ('10) and Miami ('09) under the primetime lights.

Minnesota is in a crucial stretch over the next month with games in the coming weeks against Dallas, followed by road contests at Green Bay and Moss' reunion in New England. The Vikings are 5-5 ATS since Favre's arrival in road contests, including the 14-9 defeat at New Orleans as 4 ½-point underdogs. Brad Childress has gotten his teams ready after the bye week in his tenure as head coach of the Vikings, compiling a 4-0 SU and 3-0-1 ATS mark.

The underdog has cashed in all five Monday night games this season, while the favorite is only 1-4 SU (New Orleans in Week 2). After the rash of Monday night 'overs' the first half of last season, the 'under' is 3-2 after the 'over' hit in New England's 41-14 victory at Miami last Monday.

The Jets are listed as a 4 ½-point favorite in most spots, but that number is slowly creeping up to five at some books. The total is set at 38 with 38 ½ popping up in several places, as the Vikings look to keep up their perfect 'under' run.

The game kicks off at 8:30 PM from the new Meadowlands and will be televised nationally on ESPN.

Looking ahead to Week 6:

Two up-and-coming teams meet in Houston as the Texans hook up with the Chiefs. Kansas City is playing its second straight road contest within the AFC South following Sunday's 16-6 loss at Indianapolis. The Texans will look for their first win in their last three tries at home after defeats to the Cowboys and Giants at Reliant Stadium.

The Ravens and Patriots renew acquaintances after Baltimore ran New England out of the first round of the playoffs last season. The Pats return from the bye week after the Moss trade, while the Ravens play their fourth tough road contest of the season after games at the Jets, Bengals, and Steelers.

The Colts will try to avoid their third road loss of the season as Indianapolis travels to the Nation's Capital to battle Washington. The Redskins continue to be listed as an underdog, as next Sunday's contest against the Colts will the fifth time Mike Shanahan's club will be receiving points this season. Washington has managed to win outright as a 'dog three times so far following the overtime victory over Green Bay.

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Tips and Trends

Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets

VIKINGS: Minnesota has been in the news all week long, both with star QB Brett Favre and with new addition WR Randy Moss. The Vikings have really struggled in the passing game this year, so Minnesota was willing to take a huge risk. The Vikings are gambling that Moss has something left in the tank, and gives them a new dynamic pass catching threat for Favre. Minnesota is 1-2 both SU and ATS this year, and really need a great showing tonight coming out of their bye week. Favre has only thrown for 597 YDS this season, including 2 TD's and 6 INT's. The Vikings have only completed 4 passes for more than 20 YDS, the fewest in the NFL. RB Adrian Peterson has been the lone threat offensively for the Vikings, as he leads the team in both rushing and catches this year. Peterson has rushed for 392 YDS and 3 TD's this season. Peterson is averaging 130 rushing YPG this season, 2nd best in the NFL. Defensively, no opponent has scored more than 14 PTS against the Vikings. Minnesota is only allowing 276.3 YPG this year, 4th fewest in the league. The Vikings are 4-1 ATS against a team with a winning record. Minnesota is 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games played on fieldturf.

Vikings 1-4 ATS last 5 road games.
Over is 4-0 last 4 Monday games.

Key Injuries - TE Visanthe Shiancoe (hamstring) is probable.

Projected Score: 21 (SIDE of the Day)

JETS: (-4, O/U 37.5) New York just might be playing better football than any other team in the NFL. After losing their season opener, the Jets have won their past 3 games in dominating fashion. Each of their past 3 games have gone over the posted total, with New York almost hitting the over themselves. QB Mark Sanchez is having a great 2nd year, as he's thrown for 8 TD's without an INT this season. Sanchez has become the leader of an effective offense that is averaging more than 32 PPG and nearly 400 YPG over their past 3 games. RB LaDainian Tomlinson has been brilliant in his own right, rushing for 133 YDS with 2 TD's last week. WR Santonio Holmes is now in the mix at WR, along with Braylon Edwards and TE Dustin Keller. Needless to say, this New York offense is stacked. Defensively, the Jets have only allowed 1 team to score more than 14 PTS against them. New York is 3-10 ATS in their lats 13 October games. The Jets are 4-1 ATS against a team with a losing record. New York is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall. The Jets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Monday games.

Jets are 3-8 ATS last 11 games as a home favorite.
Over is 5-1 last 6 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.

Key Injuries - CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring) is probable.

Projected Score: 17

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