Review Journal
If judging
the Minnesota Vikings solely by their most recent outing, it would take
the guts of a high-stakes poker player to bet against quarterback
Daunte Culpepper and wide receiver Randy Moss this weekend.
But a short memory is a bad trait for a gambler, so it might pay to
take a longer look at the Vikings' shortcomings prior to the NFL
playoffs.
Philadelphia is a 9-point home favorite over Minnesota on Sunday in an
NFC divisional round matchup that handicapper Jay Ginsbach expects the
Eagles to win.
Ginsbach (fairwayjay.com) said he isn't sure if Philadelphia has the
firepower to cover the number, but he does have a strong opinion on it
going over the total of 48.
"I'm not calling for the upset," Ginsbach said. "For me to take the
Vikings, I would have to get 10 points here. Their defense just doesn't
have it. I think it's got to be a high-scoring game for Minnesota to
have a chance."
It's a game in which recent form could be considered irrelevant.
Philadelphia, reeling from an injury to star wideout Terrell Owens,
rested most of its starters and lost its last two games to finish 13-3.
A week ago, the Vikings were considered one of the league's most
underachieving teams. They failed to cover the spread in their last
five regular-season games and backed into the playoffs at 8-8.
They also had won just one of 21 games played outdoors before going to
Green Bay and pulling off a 31-17 first-round upset last week. The
Packers' dismal defense and quarterback Brett Favre's poor play
contributed to Minnesota's cause.
Culpepper had a remarkable season, passing for 39 touchdowns and an
NFL-high 4,717 yards. But Moss is slowed by an ankle injury and big
plays won't come as easily against the Eagles, who are sturdy in the
secondary with cornerback Lito Sheppard and safety Brian Dawkins.
"If not for Peyton Manning's year, everybody would be talking about
Culpepper," Ginsbach said. "The Vikings are as talented as any team in
the NFC, but defense is their downfall."
Philadelphia's Donovan McNabb had his best season, passing for 31
touchdowns with only eight interceptions, and is healthier than he has
been in previous postseasons.
But almost a month has passed since the Eagles have played a meaningful
game, so what does that mean for McNabb and his top weapon, running
back Brian Westbrook?
"I think the rest helps them more than hurts," Ginsbach said.
"Philadelphia is rested and its defense is stronger. It's too much of
an advantage, even without Owens.
"I've been saying all year I'm not sold on the Eagles, but the NFC
hasn't shown one team able to take them down. I think the NFC team is
going to get whitewashed in the Super Bowl."
In last year's divisional round, favorites were 2-2 straight up and 0-4 against the spread.
