NFL Odds – Vikings Look To Continue Momentum Under Frazier

NFL betting odds makers list the Minnesota Vikings as a favorite when they return home to Mall of America Field this Sunday looking to string together consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Head coach Leslie Frazier celebrated his first game as the main man in Minnesota with a 17-13 win at Washington, and will now have the chance to earn the faith of the hometown crowd with three straight games at Mall of America Field, beginning this weekend against the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills @ Minnesota Vikings

Sunday December 5, 2010 – 1:00 PM ET

Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Broadcast: CBS

NFL Betting Odds: Bills +5.5, Vikings -5.5

Total: 44.5

The Vikings will battle a Bills’ team that nearly clinched its third straight victory last Sunday, before suffering a 19-16 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Buffalo is just 2-9 on the season, but has not lost by more than three points since their bye back in week six.

Handicapping NFL Odds: What The Bills Will Have To Do To Win?

Winning will come down to doing the little things for a Bills’ team that pushed the Steelers in to overtime before ultimately unraveling due to dropped balls and poor execution.

A dropped ball by Steve Johnson in the endzone ultimately cost Buffalo the game against Pittsburgh, the third overtime loss in their past six games. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was excellent, throwing for 265 yards and a touchdown, but will need his receivers to make more big plays to win this one on the road.

Buffalo’s rush defense ranks at the bottom of the league, so it will be key for them to step up against Adrian Peterson and company.

Handicapping NFL Odds: What The Vikings Will Have To Do To Win?

It seems as though when Brett Favre doesn’t turn the ball over, the Vikings usually end up on the right side of the score sheet. Favre threw for 172 yards in the win over the Redskins, but did not throw a touchdown.

That was just fine with Frazier, who only asked that his veteran quarterback didn’t turn the ball over. Favre did make a couple of big plays with his legs, and may be relied on even more this week should Peterson not be at full strength. Peterson suffered a right ankle injury in the win, leaving the running duties to Toby Gerhart.

The Vikings will need to get pressure on Fitzpatrick to force the issue in the Bills’ backfield, and it will be interesting to see what attacking schemes Frazier dials up.

Handicapping NFL Odds: Outlook & Pick

While the Bills can feel good about a month of solid play, it won’t be easy to continue that run within the confines of Mall of America Field.

Buffalo has stayed within three points in each of its last three losses, but will have a tough time keeping that run alive against a Vikings’ team that suddenly loves to play for their coach.

Handicapping NFL Odds: Vikings – 6