Earlier in the season, Minnesota arguably was the NFL’s best team. Many football experts are now saying that title belongs to Dallas. That makes for an interesting backdrop for the teams’ Sunday’s divisional playoff. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com installed

2010-01-15

Earlier in the season, Minnesota arguably was the NFL’s best team. Many football experts are now saying that title belongs to Dallas. That makes for an interesting backdrop for the teams’ Sunday’s divisional playoff. Oddsmakers at Sportsbook.com installed the host Vikings as 3-point favorites, but early returns forced them to drop that to minus-2.5. Interestingly, the OVER 45.5 on this contest was getting the most support (82%) from bettors at presstime of any other Divisional Playoff betting option.

Minnesota, who hasn’t won a playoff game since ’04, finished 12-4 but was just 2-3 SU & ATS in the L5 games. However, the Vikings can boast about the fact that they were 8-0 SU & 5-2-1 ATS at home while winning by 17.2 PPG. Dallas has won its L4 games while holding opponents to just 31 total points. The Cowboys, who snapped a 13-year playoff winless stretch last weekend, have been dominant in holding opponents to just 54.8 YPG rushing in the L5. Minnesota has taken five of the L6 h2h meetings between these teams SU & ATS, dating back to ’98.

The piano and the monkey, heck the gorilla, has been thrown off of Tony Romo’s back, as consecutive victories over Philadelphia have given Dallas not only the NFC East title, but also the franchise’s first playoff victory since 1996.

The Cowboys routed the Eagles, 34-14, last Saturday behind yet another dominating defensive performance that rattled Donovan McNabb and didn’t allow him to complete a pass until 1:50 was left in the second quarter. By that time, the Eagles already trailed by 17 points.

As much as Romo has been the catalyst on offense, throwing for 2,103 yards and 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions during his last seven games, the defense has played an even bigger role. On top of ending the regular season with back-to-back shutouts, Dallas’ four-game winning streak has been highlighted by 15 sacks and eight turnovers, and the defense has allowed a total of 201 yards rushing and 31 points.

Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, among the best running backs in the NFL, has almost become an afterthought as the Vikings evolved into a pass-oriented team, failing to crack the 100-yard barrier in his last seven games and netting less than 15 carries in three of them.

The Minnesota defense hasn’t been quite so stout down the stretch, despite its lofty standing among the rest of the NFL teams. Ranked No. 6 overall, Minnesota’s defense stumbled during its 2-3 finish over the final five games, allowing Cedric Benson and Jonathan Stewart to run for 205 yards and a score on 41 carries; Chicago quarterback Jay Cutler, who led the NFL with 26 interceptions, threw a season-high four touchdowns in a Week 16 overtime win.

No current quarterback has as much playoff experience as Brett Favre, whose 22 career starts are just one behind Joe Montana. Despite the experience, however, the results haven’t been all glory. Favre has posted an overall mark of just 12-10 that includes losses in six of his last nine appearances.

The Cowboys and Vikings have met six times in the postseason, most recently in 1999, when Minnesota won 27-10 at home in the wild-card round. Dallas has won four of the six playoff battles overall.

PREDICTION: HC Brad Childress’ team is built for the postseason, and is capable of making a run to Miami. They run the ball and pass it equally effectively, have perhaps the best offensive line in football, and are able to get after the passer on defense. Don’t underestimate them by only looking too much at what Dallas has done the last four weeks. MINNESOTA 30, DALLAS 24

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