AP is the beating heart of the Viking offense and with the Bucs tough against the run, the home team may have to rely a little more on Christian Ponder's arm; but Ponder has turned the ball over seven times in the last three games and the Vikes clearly suffer when he has to throw. Set against this is a ponderous Bucs' secondary, still without the suspended Aqib Talib. If Ponder is to emerge, it must be tonight and I'm expecting to see Percy Harvin, Jerome Simpson and Kyle Rudolph get more involved.
Josh Freeman had a big game last week, but it was against a Saints' defense giving up the third most yards per game through the air and the Vikings have a strong enough pass rush in Jared Allen, Brian Robison and Kevin Williams to get after Freeman tonight. I like the balance of Doug Martin on the ground and Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams out wide, but again, Minnesota are tough against the run and although they can give up the big play, Antoine Winfield is playing well and the secondary in general has stepped up.
I'll give the points.
Pick: Minnesota Vikings -5.5 @ 1.91
Pick: 1st TD Percy Harvin @ 10
Pick: Anytime TD Vincent Jackson @ 2.1
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