Minnesota Vikings (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS) vs. Cleveland Browns (0-7 SU, 2-5 ATS)
NFL Week 8
Date/Time: Sunday, October 29th, 9:30am EST
Where: Twickenham Stadium – London, England
TV:NFL Network
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: MIN -9.5/CLE +9.5
Over/Under Total: 37.5
Sunday at 9:30am, there is yet another NFL showdown across the pond in Twickenham Stadium in Southwest London. The 5-2 Minnesota Vikings will take on the winless Cleveland Browns in a game that the NFL hopes will be more competitive than the recent games played there.
The Vikings come into this game as 9.5 point favorites over the Browns and the total points are set at 37.5 combined. As of late Tuesday evening a majority of the betting action was on the Vikings to cover the 9.5. Over 60% of the documented action likes Minnesota in this match up. As for the total points, 56% thinks the game will stay under the total of 37.5. On the season, the Vikings are 4-3 against the spread while the Browns have covered only twice in their seven losses.
Not only is Cleveland having issues on the field, but they are now facing some drama with quarterback, DeShone Kizer off the field. This weekend it was noted that Kizer was seen on video at a bar just hours before the Browns took on the Titans this past Sunday. Kizer has since apologized and while there has been no official announcement, it is starting to appear that DeShone Kizer will still get the start in London over Cody Kessler. As the week progresses we will know more. Many thought that this season, the Browns would start trending upward. Of course not being a contender but some, including myself, figured this team would start finding ways to win a game here and there….well…so far not so good for the Browns.
Cleveland at 0-7 looks like they again will be battling for one of the top three or four picks in April’s NFL Draft. Although they are 0-7, Cleveland is getting a little more competitive. Four of those seven losses were by just three points including last weekend’s loss to Tennessee in overtime. The key to Cleveland ending this losing streak is for them to stop turning the ball over. Kizer has thrown eleven interceptions to just three touchdowns. Yes, you read that correctly. Those numbers are just bad, they are historically bad and if Cleveland has any chance to start winning, this must improve in a major way. Not only does the offense need to stop with the turnovers, but the defense has to play better too. I know this sounds textbook and basic but both sides of the ball need to improve in order to help the other. Football is the ultimate team game and right now, the Cleveland Browns are not a good team…at all.
Minnesota is quietly leading the NFC North with a 5-2 record. If you asked the average fan you would think it was Green Bay or Detroit leading the north…nope. In the absence of Sam Bradford, Case Keenum has come in and done a good job but the real reason the Vikings have played so well is their 5th ranked scoring defense in the NFL. Minnesota is only giving up an average of 17 points per game. This could cause some serious issues for Cleveland, a team with a bad offense.
To get the win and the cover, the Vikings need to just make sure they do not let the Browns get any easy scores. As long as Minnesota does not turn the ball over or have any special teams lapses, I think it could be a good day for them. If they let Cleveland stick around, they may be in for a dog fight.
The London games this year have not been very competitive. It seems that each game is a blowout and a near shutout. I am sure the people of London are not enjoying this either. With that said, I think it is going to happen again. I like the Minnesota Vikings to win this one 23-10 and get the cover over seas against the Browns.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Take the Minnesota Vikings -9.5. – If the stability of a sportsbook (Online for more than 20 years), fast no hassle payouts, a generoussign-up bonus (50-100%!), player loyalty bonus programs, the ability to bet on games live-in-progressand a huge selection of wagers matters to you (which it should), you need dump your current sportsbook and start betting at one of the web’s best: Intertops! Don’t settle for anything less than the BEST!