Vikings vs Jets NFL Week 7 Odds & Game Preview

Adjusting to life in the NFL after a couple of years of playing college football is tough for most players, but it is especially rough on QB’s. This is why so many young QB’s tend to spend a year or two holding a clipboard on the sidelines, taking the time to develop through practice and watching the starter take every snap. In some situations, though, rookie QB’s are thrown in from the very start, usually with mixed results. That has very much been the case for Sam Darnold in his rookie season with the New York Jets. There have been times when he has looked composed and ready to play at an elite level in this league, while he has also had moments when he has looked like a deer in the headlights.

In short, it’s a typical rookie season for a young QB. This week, he is going to be up against one of the best defenses in the league, even if the Minnesota Vikings D has yet to truly show up. Minnesota is in as a 4-point favorite here, with the point total set at 46 ½.

Vikings vs Jets NFL Week 7 Odds & Game Preview

When: Sunday, October 21 at 1 PM EST
Where: MetLife Stadium, New York
TV: FOX
Radio: TuneIn
NFL Week 7 Odds: Minnesota Vikings -4 (Total 46.5)

Weather Forecast

Partly Cloudy: 8°C/47°F
Humidity: 47%
Precipitation: 0%
Cloud Cover: 55%
Wind: 19 mph NW
Stadium Type: Open

Why bet on the Minnesota Vikings?

The Vikings made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game last season, and while QB Case Keenum did a fine job, Minnesota believed that they needed a franchise QB to take that next step. When they landed Kirk Cousins, they automatically became a serious Super Bowl Contender, but things have not gone quite as planned this season. The issue, though, is not Cousins, as he has been fine, but rather the defense.

This was a unit that was the best in the NFL last season, yet they are already giving up almost 25 PPG this year, about 9 more PPG than last season. The Vikings are 3-2-1 this year and are now going against a team that they have only managed to beat once in their last 5 meetings. The Vikings have now won back to back games and have covered in each of their last 3, twice as an underdog, so definite signs of improvement.

Team Stats

Offense

Average Score For: 23.33
Total Yards: 391.16
Rush Yards: 87.33
Passing Yards: 303.83

Defense

Average Score Against: 24.67
Total Yards: 359.83
Rush Yards: 93.00
Passing Yards: 266.83

Why bet on the New York Jets?

After 3 straight weeks of struggling to get anything going on the offensive side of the football, the Jets offense has suddenly come to life. They have won 2 in a row, scoring a combined 76 points in those games. No-one is getting too carried away, though, as those victories came against teams with just a combined 3 wins on the season.

Vikings vs Jets should end up with a victory for Minnesota.

This will be a much better test for Darnold and his defense, and if they pass it, the Jets might just become a bit of a dark horse in the Wild Card race. The Jets have certainly been a good bet at home, going 9-3 ATS in their last 12 outings, although they are just 3-3 ATS overall this season. As far as the point total goes, the OVER has hit in 4 of the last 6 meetings between these two.

Team Stats

Offense

Average Score For: 27.50
Total Yards: 340.50
Rush Yards: 130.33
Passing Yards: 210.17

Defense

Average Score Against: 23.17
Total Yards: 381.00
Rush Yards: 108.67
Passing Yards: 272.33

Vikings vs Jets NFL Week 7 Betting Trends

Minnesota is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 2-3-1 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Minnesota’s last 10 games on the road
NY Jets is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games at home
NY Jets is 5-12 SU in its last 17 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of NY Jets’ last 6 games

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Vikings vs Jets

The previous meetings between these two teams may have gone the way of the Jets, but I think that Minnesota is starting to get on a bit of a roll. I think their defense will cause Darnold some real trouble on Sunday, which is why I am on the Vikings to win and cover.

Score: Minnesota Vikings 27 – New York Jets 20