NFL
New England (5-1, 4-2 ATS) at Minnesota (4-2, 5-1 ATS)
Tom Brady and the Patriots carry a three-game SU and ATS winning streak into the Metrodome tonight, where they will battle the surprising Vikings.
New England has won three straight games, all by double digits, since a 17-7 home loss to the Broncos in Week 3. Last Sunday, the Pats destroyed the Bills 28-6 as a 5½-point road chalk, with Brady going 18-for-27 for 195 yards with two touchdown passes. It was the third consecutive game that Brady had a pair of scoring tosses.
Minnesota traveled to Seattle last week and ended the Seahawks’ 12-game home winning streak with a surprisingly easy 31-13 upset victory as a seven-point road underdog, Running back Chester Taylor rushed 26 times for a career-high 169 yards, including a 95-yard TD scamper that tied a Vikings record.
Minnesota is getting it done with defense this year, as Brad Childress’ team is allowing only 15.8 points and 277.8 yards per game, figures that rank sixth and seventh in the league, respectively. The defense also leads the NFL in rushing yards allowed (71 per game), and no opponent has scored more than 19 points. Finally, the defense has been very opportunistic, scoring four TDs in the last four games.
The Vikings’ offense, which puts up 20 points and 326 yards per contest, sprung to life last week at Seattle, producing three touchdowns. Prior to that, Minnesota had scored only five offensive TDs all year. Veteran QB Brad Johnson has been efficient, if not spectacular, as he’s completing 63 percent of his throws for 216.5 ypg with four TDs and four INTs. Meanwhile, Taylor entered the week as the NFL’s second-leading rusher with 590 yards.
Like Minnesota, New England has been prospering on defense. The Pats are fourth in the league in scoring defense (13.3 ppg), 10th in total defense (299.2 ypg) and sixth in rushing defense (84 ypg).
Brady is completing just 56 percent of his passes for only 204 ypg, but he’s thrown 10 TDs compared with just three INTs. He leads a New England offense that’s producing nearly 23 points and 325 yards per game. With the one-two running-back punch of rookie Laurence Maroney (361 yards, 3 TDs) and veteran Corey Dillon (328 yards, 4 TDs), the Patriots rank sixth in the league in rushing (131.5 ypg).
The Patriots are on ATS runs of 17-6 on the road and 12-3 as a road favorite. Bill Belichick’s team is also 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 road games against NFC opponents.
Minnesota is 4-1 ATS as an underdog this year and has won and covered eight straight games as a home pup. Also, the team is 6-1 SU and ATS hosting AFC foes.
Underdogs and home teams are both 5-3 ATS on Monday nights this season.
The Vikings’ top three receivers – Marcus Robinson, Travis Taylor and Troy Williamson – are all nursing various injuries, and their status for tonight’s game is unknown.
The over is 19-7 in New England’s last 26 road games, including 2-1 this year. However, the Vikings are on a 9-3-1 “underâ€