Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Minnesota Vikings (5-0) return from their bye week Sunday looking to hand the Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) their third straight loss following a perfect 3-0 start. The matchup will feature an intriguing battle of quarterbacks, as former Philadelphia signal-caller Sam Bradford squares off against his replacement in rookie Carson Wentz.

Point spread: The Vikings opened as 1.5-point favorites; the total was 40 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 19.5-18.6 Eagles (NFL picks on every game)

Why the Vikings can cover the spread

While Bradford certainly does not seem to be the kind of player who holds a grudge, you can bet he will be highly motivated to beat the team that traded him away to Minnesota. Fortunately, he also has one of the NFL's best defenses behind him that has not allowed an opponent to score more than 16 points.

The Vikings have also gone 9-0 against the spread in their last nine road games, according to the Odds Shark NFL Database, and they are riding a 19-2 ATS run overall dating back to last season.

Why the Eagles can cover the spread

Wentz will have a chance to prove he was the right choice in Philly, as many believe, regardless of how impressive Bradford has performed so far this year. Without Wentz, the Eagles have won eight of the past 11 meetings with Minnesota straight up, covering 10 of the previous 13 in the series as well.

They also have the benefit of playing a team that has lost eight of nine SU on the road after consecutive home games. And even though they have dropped two in a row since their bye, both losses were close and took place on the road. This will be Philadelphia's first home game in nearly a month.

Smart pick

It would be logical to back the Eagles here because you would think the coaching staff would know Bradford well enough to expose his weaknesses. But head coach Doug Pederson is in his first year at the helm, and it's more likely that Bradford will know the weaknesses in Philly's defense instead. However, Minnesota is just 1-5 SU and ATS in its last six games following a bye, so bet the Birds to upset the Vikes.

Betting trends

The Vikings are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games against the Eagles.

The Eagles are 2-6 SU and ATS in their last eight games against the NFC.

The Vikings are 9-0 ATS in their last nine games on the road.

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.