Despite Iffy Pre-Season, the Vikes Still Favored (or Even) Against the Saints in Vegas
Joe Johnson
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Despite the name of this website (which I own, #HumbleBrag) I am always optimistic about the Vikings (With some exceptions, like 2005 after they traded Randy Moss, or during the T-Jack era). Despite the fact that the Vikings have struggled on both sides of the ball so far this season, I still am relying on the time tested justification for their terrible play, especially last night… In that, it’s just the pre-season, bro! Of course, one would or should much rather have their favorite team’s starters playing at a high level at this point in the season as opposed to the mess that they seem to be with only a little under two weeks before the season starts, but there are multiple things going on and there could be an explanation for their sloppy play. Right?
Either way, the fact that the Vikes (starters) have played poorly against pretty much every opponent this off-season hasn’t changed the fact that they’re mostly still favored (or really even) when it comes to the betting experts in Vegas. According to MyBookie.ag (Click for the Vikes/Saints and all the Vikings regular season betting lines), the Vikes are 3.5 point favorites (as of the writing of this article). Considering the fact that home teams are typically spotted about 3 points because of the home-field advantage, that means that it’s basically a toss-up in the eyes of Vegas. That’s not the position that many of us wanted the team to be in after completely rebuilding the offensive line and otherwise getting healthy this off-season. Especially against the team that is bringing both Adrian Peterson and Sean Peyton to US Bank Stadium.
This is a team that, on-paper, is hyper talented (especially on defense) so you have to think that considering they do have one of the better head coaches in the league, in Mike Zimmer, running things that they’ll get it together. But the fact that they’re this close to the regular season and they still haven’t, is troubling. purplePTSD/VikingsTerritory is hosting a viewing party of AP’s return to Minnesota in the opener and if things end up going the way that they did last night, it could end up being a LONG night, even if it is at a movie theater! That party, at the Skyway Movie Theater in South Minneapolis, will at least have a full bar, so at least we’ll be able to drink away any sorrows! Stay tuned in the coming week plus to see if the odds end up changing, hopefully the Vikes turn things around this Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins. If not, it could end up being a long year, too!