Earlier this week, Minnesota was all over the news when they traded with the New England Patriots for Randy Moss. Moss returns to the place where he started his career after a combined six years in Oakland and New England. Considering Brett Favre and the Vikings ranks 24^th in passing this season, it is obvious why this trade was made.

Speaking of Favre, his name was also a hot topic all week. The future hall-of-famer returns to New York where he spent one controversial season. Amid the controversy were alleged inappropriate sexting, voice mails and photos to Jets’ buxom employee Jen Sterger in 2008 reported by Deadspin.com.

Whether or not the allegations will be a distraction or not is up for debate. However, Sportsbook.com obviously doesn’t think so as the Vikings vs. Jets line stayed pat at Jets +4.5 points all week.

The 3-1 Jets play their third prime time game of the young season. They have been kind to their football betting faithful this season compiling a 3-1 against the spread (ATS) record as well, including three straight easy covers. With a point spread cover Monday night, the Jets will improve to 5-0 ATS versus the Vikings in their last five games.

The 1-2 Vikings have been a huge disappointment thus far. Last season they had a high-scoring offense that averaged 29.4 points per game during the regular season. Through their first three games in 2010, their PPG average has been cut in half to 14.3. Putting points on the board Monday night could be a challenge as the Jets’ allow only 15.3 PPG.

Vikings’ stud running back Adrian Peterson is off to another great start, averaging about 130 rushing yards per game with three scores. More importantly, his fumbling woes from a year ago seem to be solved as he has yet to turn the ball over.

The Jets do own the best turnover ration in the entire NFL at +8. Meanwhile, despite AP’s improvements in holding onto the ball, the Vikings have a -3 turnover ration; mainly thanks to Favre’s six interceptions.

Stats aside, the Vikings will be playing with their backs up against the wall Monday night as they can not start the season at 1-3. Also which can’t be ignored is the fact that they are coming off their bye week so they had two weeks to get healthy and prepared for one of the NFL’s best teams.

So far this season Minnesota’s defense is allowing just 12.7 PPG and will have to be on top of their game versus the Jets surprisingly high octane offense in order to cover the point spread.

Everyone knew that the Jets would have a great defense this season but it’s their offense that is putting Rex Ryan’s club at the top of the heap. With a running attack led by the reinvigorated LaDainian Tomlinson, the Jets churn out 167.8 rushing yards per game, good enough for second best in the NFL.

New York Mark Sanchez has been extremely efficient and is getting better every week. Through four games the second year signal caller has eight touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. He’ll have another weapon Monday evening as wide receiver Santonio Holmes completed his four game suspension and will be suited up.

To check out the latest NFL betting odds for Monday night’s Vikings vs. Jets game, hit up Sportsbook.com now and get a 20% sign-up bonus.

Despite a ten game win streak versus NFC opponents, Sportsbook.com has the Titans as 6.5 point spread underdogs in Dallas on Sunday.

The Cowboys are coming of their bye week which is good news for Dallas fans. Dallas has won at least three straight games after its bye in each of the past three seasons.

Chris Johnson is the key to another Tennessee victory. He only has 354 rushing yards on 3.8 YPC this year, which is well off last year’s 2,000-yard pace. Johnson will not have an easy time against a quality Dallas defense, and also considering how bad the Titans passing offense is (152 YPG, third-worst in the NFL).

Despite the two losses, Tony Romo has had a quality season, leading the Cowboys to the fourth-best passing attack in the NFL (312 YPG). Romo has completed 69 percent of his passes, but only has four touchdowns (and two picks) in three games. The Dallas rushing attack has been weak, as its 80 rush YPG is only better than six other NFL teams. Team owner Jerry Jones said that RB Felix Jones (22 carries, 88 yards) will have a bigger role in the offense moving forward.

The Titans were crushed in their last meeting with Dallas (45-14 in 2006), but are 15-1 in their past 16 games against NFC teams since that game. If that wasn’t enough to justify football betting fans to back the Titans, listen to this:

Play Against – Home favorites (DALLAS) – excellent passing team (>=265 PY/game) against an average passing defense (185-230 PY/game), after gaining 7 or more passing yards/attempt last game. (31-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (77.5%, +21.1 units. Rating = 3*).

Despite both teams having top-10 defenses, allowing approximately 300 total YPG, the following NFL betting trend found at Sportsbook.com leans towards the ‘over’:

Play Over – Road teams where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points (TENNESSEE) – off 1 or more straight overs, with a good scoring defense – allowing 17 or less points/game. (34-8 over the last 5 seasons.) (81%, +25.2 units. Rating = 4*).

For more football betting trends and to check out the rest of this weekend’s NFL betting odds, head over to Sportsbook.com now.

Kansas City crushed San Francisco 31-10 in Week 3 before resting with a bye. Indianapolis lost a 31-28 heart-breaker at Jacksonville when Josh Scobee won the game at the buzzer with a 59-yard field goal.

Kansas City’s defense has been excellent, holding each of its first three opponents to 14 points or fewer.  The Chiefs limited their last two opponents to just 275 YPG including a measly 58 rushing YPG. The offense has played pretty well too, ranking third in the NFL with 161 rushing YPG. Jamal Charles (79 rush YPG) and Thomas Jones (72 rush YPG) have done a great job splitting carries this year. QB Matt Cassel was very efficient against the 49ers last game with 250 passing yards, three touchdowns and just one interception.

Despite the two losses, Peyton Manning has been amazing. He has completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,365 yards, 11 TD and just 1 INT. It’s the running game that has had problems, gaining a total of just 102 yards in its two losses and ranking 29^th in the NFL with 76 rush YPG. Indy also ranks 29^th in rushing defense, surrendering 150 rush YPG.

The Colts are 7-2 ATS in the series since 1992. This football betting trend found at Sportsbook.com supports another Indy cover.

Play Against – Road teams (KANSAS CITY) – off 2 or more consecutive upset wins as an underdog, with a winning record on the season. (49-22 since 1983.) (69%, +24.8 units. Rating = 2*).

After checking out Sportsbook.com’s NFL betting trends it appears as if 94 percent of the early bettors are backing the ‘Over’. Here is a trend to support those one-sided numbers:

Play Over – Road teams where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points (KANSAS CITY) – off a home blowout win by 21 points or more, undefeated on the season. (22-4 since 1983.) (84.6%, +17.6 units. Rating = 3*).

Head over to Sportsbook.com now to check out all of the football betting odds for this weekend. After placing your bets be sure to make your picks for the $100,000 Perfect Parlay promo.

Jay Cutler, Chicago quarterback

Cutler suffered a concussion last week at the NY Giants and will not start this week at Carolina. Backup Todd Collins had a stinger last week as well, but is ready to go. The Bears have moved from three-point favorites to one-point dogs.

Steve Smith, Carolina wide receiver

Smith has a high ankle sprain and will reportedly be sitting out the Chicago game. The receiving targets for rookie quarterback Jimmy Clausen are really limited now. Look for a lot of rushing attempts for the Panthers.

Clinton Portis, Washington running back

Portis (groin) will be out several weeks and it could even be season threatening. Ryan Torain has looked when he’s played this year and will be the featured back going forward. The Redskins are 2 ½-point home underdogs to Green Bay.

Green Bay defense

The Packers suffered two big injuries on the defensive side of the ball last week. Rookie starting safety Morgan Burnett (knee) is out for the year as is linebacker Nick Barnett (wrist), according to latest reports.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia quarterback

Vick (ribs) is out at least this week and probably more. Running back LeSean McCoy (ribs) is questionable. Kevin Kolb struggled in relief in last week’s loss versus Washington, but he’ll start Sunday night in San Fran. The 49ers are 3 ½-point favorites.

Andre Johnson, Houston wide receiver

The All-Pro wide receiver (ankle) sat out last week’s game at Oakland. The Texans still put up 31 points, thanks to 249 rushing yards. He’s considered questionable for Sunday against the Giants, with Houston three-point home ‘chalk.’

Pierre Thomas, New Orleans running back

Thomas (ankle) could miss his second week in a row and Reggie Bush is already sidelined (fibula). Chris Ivory and Ladell Betts split carries last week as New Orleans struggled in a 16-14 home win over Carolina. They’re seven-point favorites at Arizona on Sunday.

Darren McFadden, Oakland running back

McFadden is doubtful to play this week with a hamstring injury. Oakland will host San Diego as six-point ‘dogs.

Knowshon Moreno, Denver running back

Moreno has missed the last two weeks (hamstring) and appears questionable at best at Baltimore. The Ravens are seven-point favorites.

Philadelphia Eagles (2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS) at San Francisco 49ers (0-4 SU, 2-2 ATS)

Live at Candlestick Park
San Francisco, CA
Sunday, October 10 –  8:20 PM ET
TV:  NBC

NFL Sportsbook Odds:
San Francisco -3
Philadelphia +3
Total 38

Here are some of the sportsbook trends as they impact our football betting prediction on this game:

• Philadelphia has played four of its last six games UNDER the total
• Philadelphia has lost four of its last six games SU
• Philadelphia has won eight of its last 12 games SU
• Philadelphia has covered one of its last seven games
• Philadelphia has won five of its last seven road games SU
• San Francisco has played seven of its last ten games UNDER the total
• San Francisco has lost four of its last five games SU
• San Francisco is 4-0-1 ATS in its last five home games
• San Francisco has played four of its last five home games UNDER the total
• San Francisco has won four of its last five home games SU

Key stats for Philadelphia — Michael Vick has averaged 8.3 yards an attempt, throwing six TD passes without an interception. He is also the Eagles’ second leading rusher with 187 yards. The team’s leading rusher and receiver is LeSean McCoy, with 273 yards, 5.5 yards per carry and 23 catches. The reason we mention all of this is because neither Vick nor McCoy is expected to make the start in the game against the Niners, and that will undoubtedly impact the way we play this game against the sportsbook.

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetUS? If so JOIN NOW.]

Key stats for San Francisco — The Niners, who professed to be a run-first offense, have thrown 151 passes this season – all of them by Alex Smith – while running the ball only 83 times. Frank Gore is the only operative running back, and he has gained 270 yards on the ground. The 49ers have converted only 30% of their third down conversions, a very poor figure. Opponents have completed 67% of their passes against them compared with just 52% permitted by Philadelphia.

Here are the head-to-head betting trends as they involve the sportsbook odds on this game:

• Five of the last six meetings have gone OVER the total
• Philadelphia has won five of the last six meetings SU
• Philadelphia has won five of the last seven meetings SU as the road team
• Five of the last seven meetings in San Francisco have gone OVER the total

…And by the way, make your NFL picks and college selections with parlays of 16 through 20 teams for huge payouts at BetUS Sportsbook!

Minnesota’s newest quarterback played only briefly last week and reports are he will see considerable action on this televised contest. The worldwide leader in sports newest NFL reporter Adam Shefter has reported there is a “schism” in the Vikings locker room concerning what teammates think about the veteran quarterback, compared to those already on hand. Upon further review, those close to the team have found this not to be the case, with a few dissenting voices, but hardly the next Civil War to start in Minnesota.

The Vikings have won and covered both their preseason encounters and will have to settle on a backup quarterback. Sage Rosenfels missed last week with an ankle and Tarvaris Jackson, thought to be the goner when the Wrangler jeans pitchman was signed, took full advantage of the situation, completing 12 of 15 passes against Kansas City for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sportsbook.com has the Vikings as three-point road underdogs, with a total of 38.5.

Houston hasn’t had the drama seen in the Twin Cities, but there was a many long face after the Texans were blasted by 38-14 by New Orleans as three-point home favorites last week. The Houston defense was scorched for 420 yards by the Saints and some members of the defensive line are on the firing line. In particular, starting defensive tackle Amobi Okoye has come under scrutiny. Now in his third season, the Nigerian hasn’t progressed as some would like to see for the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. A solid game against a good Minnesota offensive line would help quell dissatisfaction.

Quarterback Matt Schaub leads what should be a potent Houston attack, with numerous weapons like Andre Johnson, Steve Slaton, Owen Daniels and Kevin Walter. The Texans are 6-4 and 4-3-3 ATS playing at home in August football since 2004 and have covered their last three Week 3 assignments.

Minnesota is 24-13-1 ATS in their last 38 underdog roles and 16-5 ATS when they score 22 to 28 points in the preseason. From a situational perspective, the Vikings could be in a hole, since they are 0-7 ATS on the road versus an opponent coming off a double-digit loss..

Make Sportsbook.com the place for you NFL action this season. With generous promotions like the $100,000 Perfect Parlay and Reduced Juice Fridays, it is no wonder Everybody Bets on football at Sportsbook.com.

Manager Bruce Boche has the pitching aligned exactly how he wants it to give San Francisco its best chance of winning. In order, it’s Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito and Matt Cain, this at least sounds daunting for Colorado. Lincecum (12-4, 2.43 ERA) lost last Sunday at Colorado 4-2, giving up room service pitch for home run and walking a season high five batters. Last year’s Cy Young winner is 4-0 with a sterling 1.36 ERA at AT&T Park in his last six outings and the Giants are 8-3 when the right-hander is pitching on four days rest.

Colorado (72-56, +12.6 units) has too quickly put behind the disappointment of losing series to front-running Los Angeles and refocus on the task at hand. The Rockies are 17-9 in August road games the last couple of years and have what they believe is the right pitcher to combat Lincecum in Ubaldo Jimenez (12-9, 3.36).  The righthander has pitched a minimum of eight innings in four of his last five starts, not allowing more than two runs and winning each game. He relishes the challenge of facing “The Freak”.

“I love challenges,” Jimenez said. “I’m positive when I have a challenge. I can’t wait to be in that position. Hopefully, everything’s going to be OK this time.” Jimenez has made nine straight starts allowing three or fewer runs and Colorado is 21-6 on the road against a right-hand starter.

Sportsbook.com has the Giants as -125 money line favorites, with the total Un6.5. San Fran is 8-2 when Lincecum pitches as a favorite and has won 41 of last 58 in favorite role. The Rockies have won just one of last seven as an underdog and are 7-20 when Jimenez is pitching as road dog and 1-5 if the opponent has winning record.

Game 1 Edge: San Francisco

San Francisco knew coming into the season, they would have to build this team around pitching and defense and the front office has been prophetic. The Giants are 14th in the National League scoring runs, a paltry four runs per game. Nobody knows this better than Barry Zito (8-11, 4.09). Though Zito has been criticized and dismissed as a non-talent more than Heidi Montag, this season Zito has looked like the pitcher the Giants spent 126 million for several seasons ago. In his last eight starts, the lefty has ERA of 2.08, yet is just 3-2, as he has received the poorest run support in the NL at just under three runs a game. Zito made a decision to stop worrying about avoiding bats and instead has gone after hitters, which has paid dividends for a pitcher needing confidence. The Giants have won five of his last six starts at home.

Colorado counters with Jason Marquis (14-8, 3.47), making this a rematch from Monday, when neither starting pitcher figured in decision. Marquis has ended being a key acquisition for the Rockies, pitching well when they were still trying to settle in and rock solid once they turned the corner playing outstanding baseball. Colorado comes into the series 52-25 in last 77 outings and they are 8-2 when Marquis faces a club with winning record.

Game 2 Edge: Colorado

As if things aren’t hard enough for San Fran, the status of their top two hitters Pablo Sandoval and Bengie Molina is day to day for this series. The Giants could certainly use them for the final game of the series, which is an afternoon affair. San Francisco is 24-19 playing matinees and will have Matt Cain (12-4, 2.39) taking the ball. It’s easy to be judgmental and see Cain hasn’t won a game since July 24, yet he has a 2.72 ERA in that span and allowed 36 hits in 46 1/3 innings, with a 4-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio. The Giants are raising cane on opponents at home when Cain pitches with 11-2 record and they are 13-4 when favored. The Rockies will use Jason Hammel (8-7, 4.43) who pitches dramatically better away from Coors Field. Hammel is 6-4 on the road with 2.88 ERA, thought the team is .500 (6-6). Colorado is 25-18 in day ball and un-Rockies like 36-30 coming into the series on the road.

Game 3 Edge: San Francisco

Had my four series winning streak snapped last week, however feel good about this week’s selection. As good as Colorado has been since Jim Tracy took over as skipper, San Francisco could have just as easily won three of four last week in Denver. Sporting a National League-best 41-21 home record, the Giants are the play this weekend to close the gap in wild card race.

Sportsbook.com series odds:  Colorado +120, San Francisco -150

Green Bay at Arizona

The Cardinals are 3.5-point favorites at Sportsbook.com and need to start building confidence for the upcoming season. Arizona ALMOST won the Super Bowl, yet the fact remains they were 9-7 in the regular season in 2008 and were not considered an elite team when the playoffs began. In this contest, Warner and the first team offense want to put up points and will face Green Bay’s new 3-4 defensive scheme, which features a great deal of blitzing. This could mean check downs to Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with some long passes facing one on one coverage.

The Packers have rebuilt their offensive line and though talk out of Green Bay is coach Mike McCarthy is satisfied with their progress, the Cards generated four sacks last week. Aaron Rodgers and the first team offense have been crisp. Last week the Pack built 24-0 halftime lead over Buffalo before cruising to 31-21 triumph. However, this is first road game which will alter dynamics. Arizona has thrived in this situation with a 6-0 ATS record in Week 3 and is 9-0 against the number if off a SU loss and opponent is off double digit win.

Tim Hightower has been outstanding for Arizona, nevertheless, they didn’t pay top draft pick Beanie Wells to sit on the sidelines and be injured. Watch the total in this contest, which presently is 41 points. The Redbirds are 10-2 OVER after scoring seven points or less in the first half in two straight games and Green Bay is 8-1 OVER when playing with six or less days rest.

Make Sportsbook.com the place for you NFL betting this season. With Reduced Juice Fridays and the most props on the planet, it is no wonder Everybody Bets on the NFL at Sportsbook.com.

Defense may win championships, however the list of best defensive teams changes more frequently than offense. We rightly assume Pittsburgh and Baltimore are always in the mix and these two teams are the favorites in this prop category, with the Steelers +250 and the Ravens +400. Though both should be looked at strongly, teams can pop up unexpectedly, with no prior warning. The Oakland Raiders were 27^th in total defense in 2005 and shot all the way to third in 2006, only to return to 22^nd in 2007.

The NFC East had four of the Top 8 defenses in 2008 and all four squads are listed in the Top 11 wagers, ranging from +600 for the New York Giants to +1500 for Dallas and Washington. One team to keep an eye on at +1000 is Minnesota. The Vikings have finished in the Top 8 of total defense in two of the last three years and they have a quarterback in Brett Favre who can move the chains and possess the pigskin. Plus, Minnesota has the second easiest schedule coming into the season which could enhance their chances.

The top offenses tend to be more stable for one main reason, the quarterback position. If a team has a top flight signal caller, they have to have a good offensive line to protect him and the front office realizes they have to supply him with weapons to maximize potential.

With Tom Brady back, most would expect New England to approach the numbers they reached in 2007, when they led the NFL in points scored (NFL record) and total offense. The Patriots were fifth in yards gained last season with a quarterback (Matt Cassell) only a select few had ever heard of. New England is a justifiable +300 with a healthy Brady.

New Orleans is prolific in moving the ball with Drew Brees at quarterback and Sean Payton designing the offense. Payton understands Brees’ strengths and plays to them and the former Purdue QB is accurate passer both in the long and short game. The Saints led the NFL in most yards gained a season ago and are co-favorites with the Pats at +300.

Green Bay has been an unwonted offensive team since Brett Favre first played for the Green and Gold and Aaron Rodgers has learned his lessons well based on last year’s performance. The Packers are +600 to be top offense and have the third easiest slate in 2009.

Arizona, Philadelphia, Dallas and Houston can all move the ball with aplomb and have to be contenders. San Diego could be absorbing long shot at +2000 with Philip Rivers now in control of team and relatively favorable schedule once they get past Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the first four games.

There are also other fun NFL props to consider, like most individual player sacks and who will be the leading scoring kicker. Log on now to Sportsbook.com to check out these props and much more.

In many ways it’s a no-lose decision, since top draft choice Mark Sanchez will be under center as the starting quarterback in New York eventually. Sanchez is battling with holdover Kellen Clemens and the former USC Trojan will take the field first when the Jets have the ball on Monday.

New York lost at home to St. Louis 23-20 as four-point favorites and arrives in Baltimore in a favorable spot. The Jets are three-point underdogs at Sportsbook.com and underdogs (or Pick) off an upset loss as a favorite are 29-9 ATS this week of the preseason.

Sanchez, Clemens and Erik Anige will go against what has been one the best defenses of this decade in the Ravens. Linebacker Ray Lewis may no longer have the speed and quickness of a few seasons ago, yet he spearheads a fearsome bunch that enjoys hitting whatever moves in opposing uniforms. The defense befuddled Washington last week, holding them to 196 total yards and kept them from registering any points.

Offensively, second year signal caller Joe Flacco was efficient 9-of-15 for 103 yards in two series and will see greater action this week. Troy Smith will follow Flacco after throwing for 200 yards last week, part of the 500 yards the Ravens totaled. With John Beck out with shoulder injury, Baltimore signed Cleo Lemon this week, since he is familiar with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s system, having played in Miami when Cameron was there. With last week’s shutout win, Baltimore is 4-5 ATS at home the last five years in the preseason.

Sportsbook.com has the total set at 32.5 which would appear to favor New York who is 11-1 ATS in a road game where the total is 35 or less. The low figure could also attract the attention of totals players, with the Ravens 22-10 UNDER as a favorite and 11-2 UNDER as a home favorite of three points or less.

Kickoff is set for 8 Eastern on ESPN with New York 6-2 SU and ATS in its last eight preseason games as the visitor.