NFL: Vikings (-3) Vs Steelers $

This is an odd matchup because if you were to simply look at the NFL standings, you would see the Steelers at 6-5-1 and the the Vikings at 5-7 and coming off a loss to a winless team. Naturally, your first instinct may be the Steelers are the better team and perhaps should even be road favourites in this spot. You of course would be wrong in thinking so.

Pittsburgh is not a good football team and the fact they are above .500 is a bit of an anomaly. The have been fortunate getting wins in a couple of close games, but really should be a sub .500 team and out of the playoff race. While the Minnesota on the other hand, had the opposite fortunes losing the same close games they really should have won.

The Vikings have an advantage in this matchup in a couple of areas, not just with home field. Kirk Cousins is a better QB than Big Ben right now at this point in their careers and really it isn’t even that close. The Vikings also have an advantage in the running game with the Steelers defence looking good early in the season, but now starting to slide. Steelers also haven’t had a 100 yard rushing game in three consecutive weeks.

Both defences are about equal, slightly below average at this point in the season. I like an emotional edge for the Vikings this week as well and I expect them to come out stronger after getting upset last week in Detroit.

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NFL Odds and analysis provided by Odds Shark.