Media Predictions: Week 8, Vikings at Pats

reflexblue said:

Its not like hes a wounded Tasmanian Devil.

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Speaking of Favre, he'll do his best to keep his ironman streak alive because this likely is his last chance to face off with Tom Brady. Maybe Brady's hair will look better to Randy Moss from the visitors' sideline.
Patriots 30, Vikings 20

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SVN said:

On nfln brian billick picked the vikings , joe theisman and sterling sharpe picked the pats

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jmt57 said:

Week 8 NFL Primer: Steelers-Saints a Super matchup - NFL - Sporting News



As I read this column it occurred to me how many good NFL matchups there are this week. Three pre-season NFC favorites are playing three pre-seaon AFC favorites (Packers at Jets at 1:00; Vikings at Pats at 4:15; Steelers at Saints at 8:20) Sunday. On top of that there is Miami at Cincinnati also at 1:00 and Houston at Indianapolis on Monday night; that's five really good NFL games this weekend.

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Dutchmaster617 said:

Sorry but Pats were not preseason favorites, even at 5-1 on top they get zero respect, just the 'oh they find ways to win' but never favored as a good team. I think we need sole possession of first to get credit since diva is gone.

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The Game: Minnesota at New England (-5)

Where I come from, if you say "Beetlejuice" three times in a row, Michael Keaton will pop out of a miniature model city and make your life a living hell.

In this world, Bill Belichick isn't nearly as forgiving as my man 'Juice. For the coach, all it takes is one mention of "Spygate" to turn him into the master of disaster.

I'm still not sure what Brad Childress thought he'd accomplish by bringing up SpyGate earlier in the week. Although given his history, I guess the public display of stupidity shouldn't come as a surprise. Neither should the fact that, thanks to his irrelevant cheap shot over an issue so played out that even Gregg Easterbrook's stopped yapping about it, Professor Belichick now becomes Commander Belichick, and will do anything in his power to embarrass the hell out of Chilly.

I'm sure the Vikings players will appreciate it.

Also, for anyone going to the game on Sunday: Have you considered the fact that you might be in attendance for Brett Favre's final NFL game? The guy might be the anti-Christ, but seeing his finale would still be pretty cool, right?

All it's going to take is one awkward fall on that ankle, or one bruising blindside hit, or one horribly thrown pick-six after which Favre will pretend that he fell awkwardly on his ankle, and that's all she wrote.

Or more fitting: That's all he sexted.

The Pick: Pats (-5)

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NEW ENGLAND (-5) over Minnesota

Backup Lock of the Week. Here's hoping Tom Brady is 30-year sportswriter level bitter about being ranked behind Brett Favre on the NFL Network's Top 100 Players of All-Time list (one of the three biggest miscarriages of justice in history, right next to Sacco and Vanzetti and the Hebner brothers screwing Hulk Hogan on Saturday Night's Main Event in 1988). But I think the Pats win 2001-style, lots of short stuff on offense and taking advantage of Favre (who is going to play, he really thinks he's Gary Cooper) with a couple of picks. Call it 34-20, Pats.

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We like: Patriots 42, Vikings 7. Is there any other coach Bill Belichick would receive delight in annihilating more than Brad Childress?

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I had my doubts whether the Patriots could keep things rolling in the right direction last week in San Diego. It took some help from the Chargers, but New England got the job done. I’m becoming more a believer and less a skeptic each and every week. I still have some doubts, but a home game against a sloppy team isn’t going to lure me into picking against the Pats. New England has been making plays. The Vikings giving them up. I like that recipe. I’m counting on Wilfork and Mayo to get the job done up front to slow Peterson enough to be victorious. My biggest fear is the pass defense, not just with Moss but the other weapons in the middle of the field and underneath. I’m going to assume the offensive line gives Brady time to make plays, ones that I think are there for the taking against the Vikings. Put it all together and I’ll go with the 23-17 win for the Patriots. Hey, they’ve scored 23 for two straight weeks so I’ll just assume that’s their regular output in the post-Moss era!

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Vikings
What's Super: Even at 2-4, this talented team is not far from a playoff spot in the weak NFC.

What's not: The developing rift between coach Brad Childress and QB Brett Favre could destroy team chemistry.

Patriots
What's Super: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are lifting up what would be a rebuilding team.

What's not: "The running game doesn't excite you," Brandt said. "That may hurt them when the weather makes it harder to pass."

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Patriots 30, Vikings 20. "Speaking of Favre, he'll do his best to keep his ironman streak alive because this likely is his last chance to face off with Tom Brady. Maybe Brady's hair will look better to Randy Moss from the visitors' sideline."

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If Brett Favre's consecutive start streak actually does end on Sunday, the conspiracy theorists are going to have a field day. I can hear the theorists now: The Sterger stuff gets a little too hot, Roger Goodell pulls Favre aside, tells him to take a few games off, rest the ankle, let things cool down a bit in the media, have this story go away ... Hey, I'm not saying I believe any of that, I'm just warning you that you'll hear it. The Pats should be able to handle the Vikings, whether it's Favre or Tarvaris Jackson under center.
The Pick: Patriots 34, Vikings 21

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The Vikings are ready to “whoop dat Patriot a#$”

Visanthe Shiancoe told us Thursday on Sirius that Randy Moss spent time with the Vikings offensive players to tell them where New England was vulnerable. And you know Moss is pumped up to play his old team.

Juicy stuff, but there’s no way Minnesota wins. Brett Favre isn’t healthy. I think he should sit. Brad Childress tells the world the Patriots are cheaters. Brilliant, coach. Absolutely brilliant.

This has 35-10 New England written all over it.

Shiancoe also stressed to me that you phrase it “dat” and not “that” when I quoted him back. I didn’t learn that lesson years ago at Syracuse in journalism school.

It’s a bust in every possible way.

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Vikings at Patriots

Mike Florio's take: Vikings coach Brad Childress has been talking lately. A lot. His words regarding the officiating in Sunday night's loss to the Packers got him a $35,000 fine. His barbs directed at the Patriots and Bill Belichick could get Chilly a butt-whipping on par with the 31-7 defeat his team absorbed from Belichick and company four years ago. Brett Favre, who won't play only if he can't move, will be jumping on his "broke foot" when things go well, and he'll be walking like John Wayne with hemorrhoids when things go poorly. Count on plenty of Rooster Cogburn on Preparation H sightings.

Florio's pick: Patriots 35, Vikings 13.

Gregg Rosenthal's take: After the Patriots released Lawyer Milloy then lost to the Bills 31-0 to open the 2003 season, ESPN's Tom Jackson said the "Patriots hate their coach." Three weeks after New England traded Randy Moss to Minnesota, it's the Vikings that seem to hate their coach. The rest of the country hates Brett Favre, who seems to know it and wear it on his face during every depressing press conference. This is the week Moss begins to realize how good he had it in Foxborough.

Rosenthal's pick: Patriots 24, Vikings 14.

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Personnel To Watch
Brett Favre, Vikings: Will most likely be a game-time decision if Favre plays Sunday at New England. The ankle is an issue, as is the lack of production from the veteran QB. We might see Tarvaris Jackson under center. Big decision for Brad Childress.

Minnesota: No reason for Brad Childress to put together a game that plan that doesn't feature running back Adrian Peterson. With Favre questionable and Jackson possible seeing playing time, run the football. A.P. should see 20-plus carries, because it allows this offense to use WRs Percy Harvin and Randy Moss in the play action game. But, it has to start with Peterson. Control and manage that clock on the ground. Vikings can’t drop to 2-5.

Three must see games:

1. Pittsburgh at New Orleans
Halloween night in the Dome? Crazy environment for Roethlisberger and the Steelers.
2. Green Bay at N.Y. Jets
Great test for QB Aaron Rodgers against Rex Ryan’s defense.
3. Minnesota at New England
The Favre drama, Randy Moss’ return and Belichick vs. Childress.

My Week 8 Picks
New England over Minnesota

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VIKINGS (2-4) AT PATRIOTS (5-1)
When: 4:15 p.m. Sunday (FOX)
Line: OFF Cote's pick: NE 28-20
Randy Moss' homecoming game went off bet-boards because Brett Favre's 291-game regular-season starting streak is in legitimate jeopardy (though the drop to Tarvaris Jackson ain't that steep). The bet? You're always safe at home with Tom Brady.

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VIKINGS at PATS, Patriots by 7, 43½
Will he or won't he? Does "The Streak" live for another week or die in New England? Here's hoping Brett Favre plays Sunday. You certainly don't want to leave him all that free time with his camera phone. This will also be Randy Moss' return to his former haunt, not that the Pats have missed him much, going 2-0 since his departure. We're betting Brad Childress is hoping Brett sits this one out. Not exactly bowling buddies to begin with, Childress said after Favre's three-INT performance in Green Bay last week, "You can't throw it to them." By "them" he meant the other guys, a problem for Brett this season (10 INTs). But Favre or no Favre, beating Tom Brady at home is a dicey proposition.
IF I WERE A BETTING MAN: Pats and the over.

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Minnesota (+5) at New England

Gaughan: New England
Wilson: New England
Sullivan: New England
DiCesare: Minnesota
Northrop: New England
McKissic: New England

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Staff picks
Judd Zulgad -- Patriots 35, Vikings 14
Chip Scoggins -- Patriots 31, Vikings 17
Mark Craig -- Patriots 31, Vikings 21
Jim Souihan -- Patriots 27, Vikings 23
Patrick Reusse -- Patriots 27, Vikings 23
Sid Hartman -- Patriots 35, Vikings 28

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Patriots minus 5.5 vs. Vikings: Just the mention of Tarvaris Jackson makes bettors shiver.

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Vikings (2-4) at Patriots (5-1)

Line: Patriots by 6 Over/under: 44

Tom Brady has won 23 consecutive regular-season home games. He should make it 24, whether Brett Favre plays or not.

Pick: Patriots 23, Vikings 20

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