The Minnesota Vikings play the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. The ESPN NFL odds have Houston -3.5 even at BetUs Sportsbook or -3 -115 at Bet Online with a total of 38.5.

The Vikings have a newly acquired QB by the name of Brett Favre. He is expected to play the entire first half.

Minnesota entered the weekend with the fewest turnovers and fewest points given up in the preseason at zero and 16 respectively.

Most of the Texans starters will play three quarters tonight. Houston will look to tighten up a defense that was torched for 173 yards and 6.4 yards per carry last week. Journeyman Mike Bell got 10 carries for 100 yards. Now they face last year’s NFL leading rusher Adrian Peterson.

According to Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, “several” starting positions are still up for grabs.

Vikings sack artist Jared Allen is probable after missing last week with a sprained ankle.

Former Texans QB starter Sage Rosenfels is probable after missing last week. Rosenfels started five games each of the last two years when starter Matt Schaub got hurt. He is battling Tarvaris Jackson for the No. 2 spot behind Favre.

They are expected to split time in the second half, with Jackson playing the third, Rosenfels the fourth. “Sounds like a lot of passes,” says Bob Warner of NFL betting blog Lines-Maker.com says, perhaps implying the second half over is looking good at the sportsbooks.

Another motivation for Houston is they are considered a playoff contender, but they need to come out of the gates quicker, so this may be an extra important dress rehearsal. They are 10-5 straight up in December under Gary Kubiak, but only 3-9 in September.

Minnesota WR Bernard Berrian is questionable to doubtful. TE Jim Kleinsasser is likely out.

Top expert pick on this game: The Center of the Handicapping Universe passed on the side, but nails the total. That makes us 17-7 in the NFL the last 25 (déjà vu) including 9-2 the last 11. Detroit Saturday the NFL Preseason Game of the Year among them.

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