Falcons-Vikings Betting Line, Free Pick and Week 4 Fantasy Value on Julio Jones

The Falcons-Vikings betting line opened at Minnesota +3.5 and has only moved a half point down to -3, which is odd considering Atlanta is seeing nearly 85% of the action at Bookmaker.eu.

That speaks volumes.  It is clear to us here at Gambling911.com that the oddsmakers feel strongly Minnesota can cover the +3.5 line.  That’s our free pick: Minnesota Vikings +3.5.

Atlanta backers probably want to jump on board some Daily Fantasy at our friends at Star Fantasy Leagues.  That’s because Julio Jones is proving to be a beast this season.  In his past eight games, Jones has 64 receptions, 945 yards and five scores.  And here you have a situation where the Vikings have given up the second-most points to wideouts last season.

Jones’ efforts may not be enough to stop the Vikings from covering in Sunday’s late afternoon game as they are 8-2 Straight Up at home with one of those losses coming to New England the weekend they lost Adrian Peterson, and you just know how that news threw everything into a tailspin in Minnesota.  Incidentally, they are also 8-2 Against The Spread in their last 10 games at home.

All eyes will be on the rookie starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for Minnesota, who replaces an injured Matt Cassel. 

The Falcons defense has allowed just the eighth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks on the season.

Minnesota has scored just 16 points in two games without Peterson while the Falcons Matt Ryan has been thriving over his first three games following a lackluster 2013.  He has 965 yards and seven touchdowns over that period.

The Vikings Cordarrelle Patterson leads his team in rushing (95), receiving yards (143) and is averaging 27.3 yards on kickoff returns.  Cordarrelle was targeted three times last week by Bridgewater, the most among Vikings receivers but the Falcons allow the fewest receptions per game to opposing wide receivers (8.3).

- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com