Minnesota Vikings

2005 Stats

2005 Season Summary

The Minnesota Vikings were coming off an 8-8 season in which they literally backed into the 2004 NFC playoffs after losing 4 of their final 5 games SU, (dropping all 5 ATS). This came after a blazing start of 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS. It was the 4 th consecutive season that the Vikings finished in the red against the pro football betting boards. Yet because they defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs, Minnesota entered the 2005 season with positive feelings and as a favorite to win the entire NFC, which was still a lightly regarded conference during the summer of 2005.

Entering 2005 as a chalk

Head coach Mike Tice came within a whisker of getting whacked after the 2004 season but the win at Green Bay saved his job. He decided to clean house somewhat and went along with the Vikings plan to show controversial troublemaker Randy Moss the door. The talented wide out had worn out his welcome and was no longer worth the distractions to Minnesota . The Vikings drew rave reviews for their 2005 offseason acquisitions and were amongst the public's favored “go with” teams entering training camp.

Minnesota had a nice 10-6 ATS mark in their 4 previous preseasons entering 2005 and was to open up against a Kansas City team known for taking the preseason lightly as well as having some well publicized problems with the law during the days leading up to this exhibition opener. Minnesota was a 3.5-point chalk and won 27-16.

The next faced the Jets on the road and lost 21-28 as 1.5-point dogs and lost again the following week at home, a 19-16 failure against San Diego as 6.5-point chalks. The preseason finale in Seattle was a 23-21 win as 3-point dogs as Minnesota maintained a preseason mark of well over 60% ATS as pups.

Gamblers let down with pathetic effort

The Vikings prepared for their home opener against a Tampa Bay team that was coming off back-to-back losing seasons. Minnesota was still touted as a leading contender for NFC Super Bowl honors and proclaimed as one of the NFC's better offensive clubs. By game day the home standing Vikings were bet all the way up to 6.5-point chalks and let a lot of gamblers down with a pathetic 13-24 effort/loss that sent some alarms off with more seasoned pro football bettors, who could sense trouble when they saw it.

Whatever true believers remained jumped ship fast after the Vikings 8-37 loss at Cincinnati as 3.5-point dogs. There was something clearly wrong with Minnesota .

The Vikings caught a break, however, in their next game as they hosted the displaced and distracted New Orleans Saints. Bargain hunters were attracted to relatively small 4-point line in a must win game for Minnesota and were rewarded for their nerve as the Vikings prevailed 33-16. This game served as an excellent lesson in how the general betting public is often BEHIND the curve rather than ahead of the game. Many burned bettors soured on Minnesota because of the first two weeks, and closed their minds to the bargain that was available in this game. The Vikings went back into the tank at Atlanta the following week losing 10-30 as 6-point dogs to enter the bye at 1-3 both SU and ATS. The worst was yet to come.

Total disgrace

During the bye week the Vikings expressed their remorse and embarrassment at their poor start by having a sex cruise on a local lake while shooting amateur porn videos. Allegations of grabbing and groping of boat employees were made and the public outrage was immediate. The new Viking owner Ziggy Wilf was humiliated. The Vikings headed off to Chicago in total disgrace as 3-point dogs and lost 3-28 to mark the low point of the season.

Rising from the dead

As Green Bay came calling to the Metrodome it was doubtful that Tice would survive the season at coach. The Packers were coming off a 52-3 win over New Orleans and a bye week to heal. Word was, Green Bay was primed to make another one of their patented stretch runs into the playoffs and the Vikings were the object of ridicule and derision. Based on their record and distractions, it was all understandable. And yet the Vikings would rise from the dead, burning reactive bettor's pockets along the way.

Minnesota defeated Green Bay 23-20 as 1-point chalks and then was clobbered again the following week, this time at Carolina , 13-38 as 7-point dogs to stand at 2-5 both SU and ATS.

Another struggling team, Detroit , paid a visit to Minnesota and the Vikings were installed as 2-point chalks in a dangerous game for gamblers to try and figure. The Vikings prevailed 27-14 in this battle for survival.

A reminder to NFL bettors

Up next was one of those games that should serve as a reminder to all about the dangers and perils of betting pro football. The Vikings traveled to face the New York Giants who were 6-2 both SU and ATS and on a 3-game win/cover streak. New York was a 9-point chalk, which was high, but understandable considering the circumstances at the time. Minnesota pulled off a stunning 24-21 upset win and cover to serve as a springboard for a playoff run, which became a valid dream after they defeated the Packers in Green Bay 20-17 as ridiculous 6-point dogs. If ever there was a weak NFL line that was over-inflated due to pubic ignorance/perception, it was this Monday Night tilt. Minnesota had evened their record at 5-5 both SU and ATS for the stretch run.

The Vikings were back as chalks; laying 4.5 to the Browns at home in a 24-12 win and cover. Next came a 21-16 win and cover at Detroit as 2.5-point chalks. The Vikings had proven to be a bargain with 4-straight covers and, at 7-5, were a serious wild card contender.

The reeling St. Louis Rams were next at the Metrodome, and Minnesota had new found respect as 7-point chalks, covering in a 27-13 win for their 5th consecutive payoff. Incidentally, that was also the Vikings 5 th straight under as their defense had taken form as the season went on.

Vikings ran out of gas as “Must Win” loser

Now standing at 8-5, Minnesota had a tough assignment as they traveled to face a Pittsburgh team fighting for its playoff lives. The Steelers were 4.5-point chalks and the Vikings ran out of gas in a 3-18 loss.

Minnesota next had a must win game at Baltimore against a 24 th ranked Ravens offensive unit that didn't figure to do much against the Viking defense, which had been stellar during their resurgence. Incredibly enough, Baltimore scored a 30-23 knockout punch as 3.5 dogs, which served as yet another lesson about the care must one take when betting pro football as the Vikings became the latest of a long list of “must win” losers.