NFL nut Louis Ross (@LouisRoss67) shares his expert opinion on the best bets available from another exciting Red-Zone Sunday.
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns | Sunday 13:30 | Sky Sports
We are almost at the halfway point of the 2017 NFL season and whilst the narrative has been highjacked by a reality TV star with the keys to the world’s most powerful office, we have seen one of the more entertaining seasons of recent years.
Apart from the joke that is Donald Trump, the year so far has been a story of injuries to huge names. David Johnson, Odell Beckham and Aaron Rodgers are just some of those who have seen their year ended almost before it has begun.
Browns stink to high hell
One of the things that never changes is just how bad the Cleveland Browns are. One win in 22in a league where parity is the constant aim, kind of tells its own story.
The Browns organisation is rotten in every respect. The front office has had the first draft pick often this century but has recruited terribly. Continually changing head coaches is never going to help but neither is regularly passing on elite quarterbacks.
How do you pass on the like of Dak Prescott and Carson Wentz but end up with DeShone Kizer?
On the field is no better. Coach Jackson has used three quarterbacks so far, this season, changing on a weekly basis and often with games. Kizer in the last three games has started twice and been benched both times halfway through games. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the NFL.
To be fair to Cleveland they have kept themselves in a few games this year. There could well have been wins over Tennessee and the Jets with better game management but the injuries to Joe Thomas and rookie Myles Garrett does more damage than they can possibly cope with.
Especially when it comes to protecting whoever it is under centre from a rampaging Vikings defence.
Minnesota has had its problems on offence so far, this season but they have generally had enough to get the job done and the return of Stefon Diggs should make a stark difference this afternoon. Teddy Bridgewater is on his way back which is huge for the Vikings postseason prospects.
Losing Bradford sent the Vikings fishing for options
Losing Sam Bradford early has meant the Vikes turning to third-string quarterback Case Keenum. He's done a decent job in general despite an injury to have his biggest ground weapon in week 4.
Losing rookie Dalvin Cook should have put a big dent in the rushing output but a combination of Latavius Murray and Jerrick McKinnon has increased production from 108 yards per game to 146 running the ball.
An early start in London should see an easy win for Minnesota. This defence has allowed more than 20 points in a game just once this season and it's so hard to see that changing
Best Bets
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns – Cleveland Browns under 14.5 points (10/11 Bet365)
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns – Minnesota Vikings -13 points (11/8 Bet365)
Minnesota Vikings @ Cleveland Browns – Minnesota Defence/Special teams anytime Touchdown (9/4 William Hill)
