New York Jets at Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings (9-2) continue to roll on in their dream season, but this game means a lot more to the playoff-hopeful Jets (7-4) as the Vikes have opened up a five-game lead in the NFC North on the second-place Lions (yes, you read that right).
The Jets have had a roller-coaster season as their No. 5 defense helped them win games in spite of starting quarterback Zach Wilson. Coach Robert Saleh made the move to Mike White in Week 12 and it paid off in a 31-10 rout of the Bears. It shouldn’t necessarily get harder for White against a Minnesota defense that is No. 31 in yards allowed per game.
The Vikings have a good enough offense to overcome the Jets’ defensive strength with Kirk Cousins, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson and company. After suffering just their second loss of the season (a 40-3 no-show vs. the Cowboys in Week 11), they bounced back nicely in their 33-26 win vs. the Patriots on Thanksgiving night.
Jets backers were able to grab +3.5 on Sunday, but the line has settled at Vikings -3. The Jets are 7-4 with the Under, while the Vikings are 5-5-1, but this Over/Under might be set a little low at 45.5 considering the Vikings’ explosive offense at home and sketchy defense. In addition, the Vikings are coming off a 10-day mini-bye and the last time they came off a break, they played a 34-26 shootout with the Cardinals.