Vikings
vs.
Falcons
Week 13
NFL Pick
12/3/17
By: Jason Green
Minnesota Vikings (9-2 SU 8-3 ATS) vs. Atlanta Falcons (7-4 SU 5-6 ATS)
The Vikings have reeled off seven straight wins and they will be more rested for this Game with their last one on Thanksgiving. They have a three-Game lead over the Detroit Lions, who they beat in their last Game, in the NFC North and they rank in the top eight in the league in both ppg and points against.
At 5 dimes sportsbook the Falcons are the 2.5-point favorite with a total of 47.5.
The Falcons have gotten back in the playoff picture with winning three in a row and Four of their last five Games. They are still one Game back of the Panthers and Saints, who face off this weekend, in the NFC South and they face New Orleans twice and Carolina oNCe so their post-season fate is in their hands. After being pedestrian for most of the season the Atlanta offense has come alive and in their last two Games they have scored 34 points each time.
These teams met last in the 2015 season and the Vikings are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five Games facing the Falcons.
The Vikings beat the Detroit Lions 30-23 in their last Game where they dominated the first half, but the Lions came back and could have tied the Game, but Minnesota came up with a late INT. Minnesota out-GAined Detroit 408 yards to 289 yards and forced two turnovers and they stuffed the run. Case Keenum has solidified his starting QB job and in the Game he passed for 282 yards with 2 TD and no INT and he spread the wealth with three players with at least 63 receiving yards. In Keenum’s last Four Games he has nine TD and only three INT. Minnesota rushed for 136 yards in the win over the Lions with LAtavius Murray rushing for 84 yards with a TD.
The Falcons have given up more than 20 points in only one of their last five Games and they rank 8th in the NFL in pass defense and 20th in run defense.
In their last Game the Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 34-20. Atlanta racked up 516 total yards in the Game and they were legit in the air and the ground moving the chains. Atlanta was an impressive 11/14 on 3rd down conversions and they lead the league in that category. Matt Ryan passed for 317 yards with a TD and no INT and star WR Julio Jones had a HUGE Game with 253 receiving yards and two TD and the Minnesota secondary will have their hands full with him on the outside. While the Falcons are known for Ryan and the pass Game they rushed for 148 yards in the win over the Bucs with Tevin Coleman leading the way with 97 rushing yards averaging a solid 5.1 yards per carry and he also had a couple of TD.
It will be key in this Game that the Atlanta offensive line plays well facing a good Minnesota pass rush that has 30 sacks on the season.
The Vikings are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Games facing a team with a winning record, 22-7 ATS in their last 29 Games after a straight up win, and in their last 5 Games the Over record is 4-1.
The Falcons are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 Games facing team from the NFC, 13-6 ATS in their last 19 Games after a straight up win, and in their last 16 home Games the Over record is 13-3.
Jason’s Pick; Both of these teams are streaking and I see the Vikings having a poor Gamer for a change. Keenum will struggle while Ryan will shine and the Falcons will win and cover in their house snapping Minnesota’s seven-Game win streak.