Over the last several seasons, the Vikings, for whatever reasons, are the best bet in the NFL, covering the spread at a profitable rate of 66 percent. Can Minnesota keep the good times rolling when it hosts the Eagles for an NFC bash Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis? And who do we like for our free NFL pick?
NFL Betting Odds
Week 6’s NFL betting odds opened Minnesota at -3 over Philly, with an over/under of 44. Both those figures were holding steady in the early betting action.
Eagles vs. Vikings Set-Up
Philadelphia is 3-2 on the season, after disposing of the hapless Jets last week 31-6. The Eagles drove their opening possession of the game 53 yards to a touchdown, added a pick-six two minutes later, and pulled away from there for the win and the cover as 14-point favorites.
On the day, the Philly offense only produced 265 total yards and 17 first downs. But the Philly defense allowed just 128 yards of Jets offense, recorded ten sacks, and scored two touchdowns. However, let’s face it, the Jets are terrible.
The Eagles opened this season with a win over Washington, then lost back-to-back close games to Atlanta and Detroit, then beat the Packers in Green Bay on a Thursday night. So we’d say Philly is 1-1 both SU and ATS against playoff contenders this season.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is also 3-2 on the season after beating the Giants in New Jersey last week 28-10. The Vikings led 10-0 early, let New York get within 18-10 in the third quarter, but immediately drove 67 yards to a touchdown and held on from there for the W and the money as six-point favorites.
On the day Minnesota out-gained the Giants 490-211, out-rushed NY 211-64 and won the time of possession by a 33-27 split.
The Vikings opened this season with a dominating win over the Falcons, then lost at Green Bay 21-16 even though they basically out-played the Packers. Minnesota then beat Oakland by 20 points, then lost in ugly fashion at Chicago. With the Raiders at 3-2, we’ll call the Vikings 1-2 both SU and ATS against playoff contenders.
Eagles-Vikings Recent History
These two teams met in the NFC championship game two seasons ago, that 38-7 Philly romp at the Linc. Minnesota then exacted a small measure of revenge last season with a 23-21 Week 5 victory also in Philly.
Nick Foles quarterbacked the Eagles to victory in that conference championship game against Case Keenum for the Vikings. Then last year, Kirk Cousins guided Minnesota to the win against Carson Wentz for Philadelphia.
The Vikes out-played the Eagles last year, taking the lead for good in the second quarter, winning the time of possession by a 33-27 split. Minnesota triumphed outright that day as a three-point underdog, while the game played under a total of 48.
NFL Betting Trends
- Minnesota is 50-34 SU, 54-28 ATS in five-plus seasons under Coach Zimmer. The Vikings are also 19-7 SU, 20-6 ATS in three-plus seasons at US Bank Stadium.
- Philadelphia is 26-19 SU, 23-22 ATS with Wentz as the starter at QB.
- Through the first five weeks of this NFL betting season, home teams are a dismal 34-42 SU, 26-48 ATS. But those look like stats due for corrections.
Totals Report
- Overs are 3-2 in Eagles games this season, which are averaging 50 total points.
- Unders are 4-1 in Vikings games this season, which are averaging just 37 points.
- Unders are 42-36 in the NFL this season.
- Get more details: Eagles at Vikings NFL Match-up Stats
