I alluded to it last week when I grabbed the points with the lowly Dolphins, but I refrained from stating it explicitly. Now I will: The undefeated Minnesota Vikings — who actually are 9-0 over the past 10 months — are frauds.
How else do you describe a team that scored nearly as many points in the second half of Week 1 (29) as it has in its other 14 quarters combined (39)? In fact, Minnesota had four touchdowns in the second half of its 39-22 comeback win over Green Bay. Otherwise, the Vikings have found the end zone three times (and one of those was on a punt return at Tampa Bay in Week 3).
That’s right: The Vikings’ offense has six total touchdowns in four games. And standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson — who sat out last week with a sprained ankle and is questionable for Sunday — has two of those scores.
As I mentioned last week, Minnesota’s defense has been sensational, yielding only four touchdowns all season (and just one in the last three weeks). By comparison, the Saints’ defense gave up six touchdowns in 60 minutes Monday night against Atlanta. And that defense has surrendered 31, 35 and 45 points in its three losses.
However, New Orleans also limited Lamar Jackson, Derek Henry and the Ravens to 17 points in a Week 2 road win. Also, the Saints’ offense — led by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough — has put up at least 24 points in every game so far (and in seven of its last nine).
Did the Saints lay a massive egg Monday against the Falcons? Absolutely. But they also came within a 2-point conversion of winning in Detroit in Week 1; they pulled off that upset in Baltimore; and they had a double-digit second-half lead against the resurgent Raiders in Week 3 before the defense collapsed in the fourth quarter.
I doubt we’ll have to worry about such a defensive collapse Sunday. Because Minnesota’s offense — with or without a gimpy Jefferson — is garbage.
Check out our other two favorite underdogs to back in Week 5.