Monday Night Football: Vikings (+3) over Saints

Four short weeks and it appears that folks are quick to hop off the Vikings bandwagon, with 80% of the action at Sportsbook laying the field goal with the Saints. This might also have something to do with the fact that folks are now calling Drew Brees the best quarterback in the NFL.

We're not going to get caught up in either line of hype here. Here are some reasons why:

1) The Vikings get starting left tackle Bryant McKinnie back tonight from a heavy-handed four game suspension imposed due to his involvement in a fight with bouncers outside a Miami nightclub. Starting left tackles are a big deal, so this should help the Vikes. Plus, most bouncers that we've met could use a good slap or two from the likes of a Bryant McKinnie, so we applaud him for his community service.

2) The Saints will be without starting defensive tackle Sedric Ellis. It was said before the loss of Ellis that the Saints were already "razor-thin at defensive tackle." His loss tilts the balance in the trenches even further in favor of the Vikes.

3) With an advantage in the trenches when they have the ball, the Vikes should be better able to keep the ball in the hands of their superstar running back Adrian Peterson, and out of the hands of the Saints' explosive offense. This will make it hard for Brees and Co. to find a rhythm against one of the NFL's best defenses.

So these first three reasons are really one: Put simply, the Vikes' rushing attack should be especially tough on the Saints tonight.

4) And especially tonight. Both teams have played tough schedules. The Saints are 2-2; The Vikes are 1-3. The Vikes have their backs against the wall and need this worse than the Saints. Fans in Minnesota are calling for coach Childress's head on a plate due to a series of highly questionable decisions. It's do or die for him and his staff this week. And as bad a head coach as Childress might be, the Vikes roster is loaded with enough talent to overcome poor decision making. Additionally, they've had another week to adjust to the quarterback carousel. And recently-extended Saints Coach Sean Payton doesn't strike us as a coaching Einstein anyway, especially after last season's collapse in New Orleans. Finally, as always, we question the leadership of any team that can't protect its most valuable assets. And the Saints are a veritable M*A*S*H unit.

We expect the Vikings to control the ball tonight, and come away with at least a cover. We'll be back with a recap of yesterday's action later tonight.

The Pick: Vikings +3 over the Saints