Revamped Vikings should handle Bills

The Vikings (4-7) are looking to lean more on running back Adrian Peterson and rely less on quarterback Brett Favre.

Las Vegas handicapper Mike Scalleat said Minnesota’s improved attitude should help it cover as a 5½-point home favorite over the Buffalo Bills today.

“The Vikings look rejuvenated with the new coach, and the coach means a lot in the NFL,” Scalleat said. “It seems like Favre is happier, and he played more under control last week.”

Under Frazier’s orders, Minnesota had a season-high 38 rushing attempts in a 17-13 win at Washington. The handcuffs were on Favre, who attempted 23 passes, his second-lowest total of the season. He did not throw an interception or a touchdown pass.

Most bettors sided with the Vikings last Sunday, but the early money has been on the Bills in this game. Some of that is because of Peterson’s status.

Peterson, third in the NFL with 1,016 yards rushing, is listed as questionable with a sprained right ankle. Frazier said he’s optimistic Peterson will play.

His backup is rookie Toby Gerhart, who rushed for 76 yards on 22 carries against the Redskins. The Bills have the league’s worst run defense, allowing 167.4 yards per game.

Minnesota wide receiver Percy Harvin (headaches) and left guard Steve Hutchinson (broken right thumb) also are questionable.

Buffalo (2-9) has lost six games by eight points or fewer, including last week’s 19-16 overtime setback to Pittsburgh.

“The Bills can’t seem to close out games,” Scalleat said. “I feel like this is a good spot for the Vikings laying less than a touchdown.”

Scalleat analyzes the rest of today’s Week 13 schedule:

■ Cleveland at Miami (-4½): The Browns are starting mistake-prone Jake Delhomme at quarterback. I’m not a fan of Delhomme. But Peyton Hillis, who has rushed for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns, has made the offense much better. Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall is questionable with a hamstring injury. The Browns have been in most of their games, so I lean to the underdog.

■ Jacksonville at Tennessee (-3): It appears Kerry Collins will start at quarterback for the Titans, and they need him because rookie Rusty Smith was terrible last week in a loss at Houston. But Collins has no mobility, and the Jacksonville defense can get to him. The Jaguars blew a lead in a tough loss to the New York Giants last week. I’ll take the points with Jacksonville.

■ Denver at Kansas City (-8½): It’s a revenge game for the Chiefs after getting crushed 49-29 at Denver on Nov. 14. There’s no love lost between the two coaches. Kansas City has its running game going with Jamaal Charles (1,021 yards) and Thomas Jones (712), and quarterback Matt Cassel is playing well. The Broncos, who lost at home to the Rams last week, have a lot of internal problems. The high line suggests the Chiefs are going to put a lot of points on the board and win going away.

■ Washington at N.Y. Giants (-7): The Giants came to life last week in the second half, and I like them here. Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb played well against the Giants when he was with the Eagles. But the Redskins don’t have much. New York quarterback Eli Manning has enough receivers to move the ball. The Giants are one of my top plays this week.

■ Chicago (-5) at Detroit: The Bears are 8-3, so you’d think this line should be higher. Drew Stanton will be the quarterback for the Lions, but I’m still going to lean to the Lions because the Bears could be down after their big win over Philadelphia.

■ San Francisco at Green Bay (-9): Aaron Rodgers is completing 65 percent of his passes, the Packers’ running attack has improved a little, and their defense is tough. Green Bay (7-4) needs to keep up with the Bears, who are one game ahead in the NFC North. It’s a short week for the 49ers, who beat Arizona on Monday, and the weather will be colder than they are used to. I like the Packers, but it’s a big number, so I teased this down to minus-2. It’s not a big play for me.

■ New Orleans (-6½) at Cincinnati: The Saints (8-3) are strong on the road, winning their past three, and they need to keep pace with Atlanta in the NFC South. The Bengals don’t show any life, and quarterback Carson Palmer is having a bad season. I like the Saints.

■ Atlanta (-3) at Tampa Bay: The Falcons have been one of my favorite teams to bet this season, but they are not as solid on the road. The Buccaneers are pretty strong defensively, and quarterback Josh Freeman is improving all the time. I expect a tight game, so I’ll lean to Tampa Bay and the points.

■ Oakland at San Diego (-13): Philip Rivers has been good all season, and the Chargers are getting hot. Rivers has 3,362 yards passing and 23 TDs. The Raiders will start Jason Campbell, so the quarterback position is a mismatch. The number is high, so I teased San Diego down to minus-6. I expect the Chargers are going to score in the 30s, so I’d play this over 46.

■ Carolina at Seattle (-6): The Seahawks (5-6) have a shot to win the NFC West, but they have lost four of their past five and took a 42-24 beating at home against Kansas City last week. This is an ugly game. I lean to the Panthers and the points.

■ Dallas at Indianapolis (-5½): Jason Garrett has made a difference as the interim coach for Dallas. Running back Marion Barber is out, but the Cowboys have other offensive weapons. Injuries have hindered the Colts’ offense, and quarterback Peyton Manning is putting too much pressure on himself. I’ll play the Cowboys.

■ St. Louis (-3) at Arizona: I don’t like to see the Rams in the favorite role on the road, but I lean to St. Louis. Sam Bradford is playing well as a rookie quarterback. The Cardinals have too many problems.

■ Pittsburgh at Baltimore (-3): It’s hard to say how effective Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be with a right foot injury. But Pittsburgh has the stronger defense. The Ravens’ defense is getting old. I’m going with the Steelers.

Compiled by Review-Journal reporter Matt Youmans.