The Minnesota Vikings enter the weekend tied atop the NFC North with Green Bay. And with a showdown looming with the Packers next week they better not overlook the resurgent Raiders, who have turned into an offensive juggernaut with a bevy of playmakers. The Vikings have made their backers plenty of coin, going 7-0 ATS since their debacle against the team from the other side of the Bay in Week 1.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Oakland Raiders -3
Minnesota Vikings +3
Over/Under 43.5
ODDS
Some key offensive performers from both sides are dealing with injury concerns and the total is probably lower than it should be, making it a good time to jump on the over.
KEY INJURIES
Teddy Bridgewater – Was lifted from last week’s game after taking a hit to the helmet and sustaining a concussion. He was practicing this week in a limited role and hasn’t been cleared to play, though the Vikings seem like that is a formality. Shaun Hill is the backup.
Audie Cole – Was placed on injured reserve this week after sustaining a fractured ankle in the fourth quarter of last week’s win over St. Louis. He started that game at middle linebacker in place of injured Eric Kendricks, who is questionable with a rib injury. The Vikings signed Jason Trusnik to the active roster Tuesday as a replacement.
Latavius Murray – Left last week’s game with a concussion and was only a spectator at practice this week. He must clear the league’s concussion protocol before being allowed to play. Taiwan Jones and fullback Marcel Reese would share most of the running load in Murray’s absence.
KEY MISMATCH
Derek Carr’s gunslinger mentality and confidence in the pocket has helped long-suffering Oakland already surpass its victory total of his 3-13 rookie campaign. Carr’s 19 touchdown passes are tied for the third-most in the NFL and he’s tossed four in each of the last two games. Carr is on pace to record only the third 4,000-yard passing season in franchise history. His success is due largely to his field recognition and aggressive, but cautious approach. He’s not afraid to throw the ball downfield into tight coverage, allowing his receivers to make plays. Minnesota’s sixth-ranked pass defense will be challenged by Carr and formidable receiver duo of Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper. The rejuvenated Crabtree has four touchdown catches over the past three weeks and posted his second straight game of seven receptions and 100-plus yards in last week’s loss at Pittsburgh.
KEY STAT
10.0 – Oakland’s quarterback sacks allowed, the second-lowest total in the NFL. Minnesota has accumulated 19 sacks on the season to rank tied for 14th.
BETTING ANGLE
The loss of Murray is a big blow to Oakland’s offense, but the injury to starting center Rodney Hudson could be more problematic. He left last week’s game with a sprained right ankle and appeared at practice with a walking boot on his injured foot. Hudson has anchored one of the league’s best lines. With Hudson handling the protection calls, Carr has been sacked just eight times all season. Hudson has allowed just four quarterback pressures on 524 blocking snaps, compared to two pressures in 16 snaps for backup Tony Bergstrom. Bergstrom took his place with the starters after getting his first offensive snaps since 2012 at the end of the Pittsburgh game. Bergstrom missed the entire 2013 season with an injured foot and was a healthy inactive for all 16 games last season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
This game will likely be a battle of which team’s strength wins out. While Oakland has put itself in the playoff race with a top offense, Minnesota is tied for first in the NFC North because of its defense. But the Vikes have struggled on the road. While they have won their last two away games, they are a much better team at home. Minnesota visited the Bay Area back in September, taking on the 49ers in the season-opener, and was embarrassed by what’s turned out to be a bad football team. The Vikings, who produced a season-low total in yards in that visit, will have a much better showing but might overlook the Raiders with a showdown against Green Bay coming up next week. Oakland dented a pair of good defensive teams in the Jets and Steelers and has scored at least 34 points in each of its last three. The Raiders might not hit that number against Minnesota, but they will score enough to get the cover win.
Oakland 27, Minnesota 20
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