PRO FOOTBALL — January 3

N.Y. GIANTS at MINNESOTA
(Vikings -7.5, Total 48) — [private] Under normal circumstances this might not be a real bad opportunity for the Vikings, who can use a good dress rehearsal for the playoffs, and would probably want to look sharp after losing in such disappointing fashion to Carolina and Chicago. But the Giants went into the tank so bad against the Panthers – at home no less – last week that I would honestly expect a lot more effort here. Even though the Giants have played as if they have lacked an emotional center, they still have talent and Tom Coughlin is not likely to let them lay down. This team has allowed 40 points or more four times, so we don’t want to get overly excited about it, but we saw with wins over Dallas and Washington that the Giants are capable of better. Brett Favre has still thrown only seven interceptions, and after Minnesota lost a chance at victory with Adrian Peterson’s fumble, you may expect that he’ll throw it more. That especially holds true since we know Favre is the boss, not Brad Childress, but it can be a double-edged sword. It will produce points one way or another is our guess.

THE PLAYS: N.Y. GIANTS +7.5 ** and OVER 48 ***

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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