NFL Game Preview for September 19, 2010: Miami Dolphins @ Minnesota Vikings

The sports betting world was not surprised by the results the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings came up with in their opening games of the season. The Vikings and their injured wide receiver corps were no match for the defense of the New Orleans Saints. The Dolphins were actually expected to have an easier time against the Buffalo Bills in their season opener, but the Bills defense proved to be a little more feisty than the Dolphins were expecting. The Dolphins won, but it was more of a struggle than it should have been.

The NFL betting experts instantly handed the Minnesota Vikings a berth in the NFC championship game when quarterback Brett Favre decided to come back, but this is not the same Vikings offense as last year. Wide receiver Percy Harvin is still fighting headaches and, as a result, running back Adrian Peterson wound up being the top Vikings receiver in the opener against the Saints.

When quarterback Chad Henne was affecting NCAA football betting results, he was a solid pocket passer that could pick a defense apart without much problem. In the pros, Henne is a part of the Dolphins wildcat offense that utilizes running backs at the quarterback position as well. The wildcat has worked so well for the Dolphins that just about every team in the NFL has some form of wildcat formation in their playbook. The problem is that Henne would probably be an extremely effective pocket passer in the NFL as well, and with a target like Brandon Marshall now available the Dolphins may be utilizing their talent in the wrong manner.

The NFL picks enthusiasts are convinced, as is the rest of the league, that a defense the caliber of the Minnesota Vikings would be able to stop the wildcat. It is odd to think that a team built by Bill Parcells would rely on a novelty play as the foundation of their offense, but the Dolphins are convinced that they can ride the wildcat right to the playoffs. Jared Allen and the rest of the Minnesota defense may have something to say about the effectiveness of the Dolphins’ trick playbook.

The big question for the Vikings remains their offense. Brett Favre will one day see his image on display in the NFL hall of fame, but in this Vikings offense he is a hall of fame quarterback with no receivers to throw to. As was mentioned, Percy Harvin is still experiencing headaches and receiver Sidney Rice is still injured. Brett Favre may be able to utilize receivers Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo in the Minnesota offense, and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe could be a great asset as well, but until Rice gets back the Vikings offense could be hampered. One thing is for certain, the Vikings will definitely find out how good all of their receivers are as Brett Favre will use every one of them in looking for his new favorite targets.

The Dolphins and their fans are excited about their opening win against the Bills, but everyone in Miami is realistic. To see where this team stands they need to beat a team like Minnesota. Even with all of the problems the Vikings are having, they are still too much for the Miami Dolphins.

Pick: Minnesota Vikings 37-13