Minnesota Vikings Vs Philadelphia Eagles: Las Vegas Line and Pick Against the Spread

Adrian Peterson Will Lead His Battered Minnesota Vikings into Battle Against Philadelphia Eagles

Todd Jacobs, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 20, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

The crippled Minnesota Vikings will head into Philadelphia's Lincoln Field for a late season match up with the Philadelphia Eagles December 26th. The Minnesota Vikings are limping to the finish line without their NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre and other key players. The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to keep themselves in the running for home field in the NFL Playoffs.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Michael Vick are coming off a stirring fourth quarter comeback against the New York Giants. The Minnesota Vikings are coming off their Monday Night Football game in the elements against the Chicago Bears. Brett Favre started the game and was knocked out early in the second quarter.

Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Philadelphia Eagles Defense

Joe Webb or Patrick Ramsey will run this Minnesota Vikings offense that will be leaning heavily on their work horse Adrian Peterson in this game if he can make the start. Peterson missed the game on Monday Night Football with a bad knee and ankle. The return of Sidney Rice has been tempered by the loss of the Minnesota Vikings number one and number two quarterbacks.

Percy Harvin has been a frustrating distraction all season long as well. One thing that will be good for the Minnesota Vikings offense is that the Philadelphia Eagles defense won't have much film on either possible quarterback in this game.

The Philadelphia Eagles defense has been inconsistent this season. They have been prone to the big play on more than a few occasions and they have faltered late in games to give up critical scores. The run defense of the Philadelphia Eagles has been holding opponents to 100 yards per game.

Up front Trent Cole has been a major factor for the Philadelphia Eagles and Assante Samuel has been a detriment at times and an asset at other times. The pass defense has been allowing is giving up 224 yards per game which is average among NFL defenses. The Philadelphia Eagles defense has the edge over the Minnesota Vikings offense.

Philadelphia Eagles Offense vs Minnesota Vikings Defense

There are not many holes in this explosive Philadelphia Eagles offense. Michael Vick has taken over the NFL with his incredible arm and his spectacular moves in the open field. Vick is at his best in the comfort of the Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Field.

Vick has his choice of two of the fastest burners in the NFL when he goes back to pass. He can either hit DeSean Jackson streaking deep down the field on one side or Jeremy Maclin skirting down the sideline on the other side of the field.

The running game of the Philadelphia Eagles is often overlooked but with LeSean McCoy in the back field with Vick there is a synergy between the two. McCoy and Vick can run option plays that stymie opposing defenses and allows them to break of huge runs. The Philadelphia Eagles are averaging 146 yards per game on the ground and 256 per game through the air.

The Minnesota Vikings defense has been a disappointment this season. They were a run stuffing defense in the past and this season they have been giving up 100 yards per game. This is a good number for most teams but the Minnesota Vikings were once impossible to run against. The Philadelphia Eagles offense has a decided edge over the Minnesota Vikings defense.

Minnesota Vikings vs Philadelphia Eagles -10.5: Pick Against the Spread & Breakdown

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has made the home team Philadelphia Eagles a 10.5 point favorite over the Minnesota Vikings. The Minnesota Vikings are 1-5 against the spread away from home and the Philadelphia Eagles are 3-3 against the spread on their home turf of Lincoln Field. Take the Philadelphia Eagles -10.5 points over the Minnesota Vikings.