Monday Night preview by Steve Merril

by Steve Merril
New York opened as a 4.5-point favorite last week and the early money came in on the Vikings, especially once Minnesota acquired WR Randy Moss. New York dropped to 3.5-point chalk in some locations, but has since gone back up to a 4.5 after CB Darrelle Revis was upgraded to probable.

The over/under line has also been affected by both Moss and Revis. The total opened at 37.5 last week and quickly jumped to 39 after Moss was acquired by Minnesota, but dropped back down to 38 with Revis’ improved status.

INJURY REPORT

The Vikings acquired WR Randy Moss from New England mainly because Minnesota is still without last year’s top target Sidney Rice. Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe is listed as probable after injuring his hamstring last week. Shiancoe leads the team with 169 receiving yards this season.

Minnesota center John Sullivan (calf) is questionable and the team will take him to New York in case he's ready. Backup center Ryan Cook looked good in action last week against the Lions so there shouldn’t be too much of a drop off if Sullivan is ruled out.

The Jets’ injury report was filled with star players, but most are expected to play. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (hamstring), linebacker Calvin Pace (foot), defensive end Shaun Ellis (knee), center Nick Mangold, and tackle Wayne Hunter (shin) are all listed as probable.

NOT SO HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Brett Favre turned 41 on Sunday, but it’s unlikely anybody threw him a big birthday bash. Allegations have surfaced this week that Favre sent explicit photos and voicemail messages to a former female Jets’ employee when he played in New York back in 2008.

According to Favre and Vikings’ head coach Brad Childress, the situation is not an issue.

“It’s not a distraction to us at all. We just don’t let it be,” Childress said. “We address it, we talk about it, and then we’re done with it. We just talk about what's out there, look it right in the eye, deal with it to the extent we can. It doesn't affect anyone else in this locker room but Brett Favre.”

But if it affects your starting quarterback, doesn’t it affect your whole team? Childress’ comments make no sense. And since he and Favre don’t really get along as it is, it’ll be interesting to see what comes of this situation as it continues to play out.

MOSS VS. REVIS: Part II

All reports say that Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will be back on the field for this game against Minnesota. Revis is battling a hamstring injury, but since he and Randy Moss have exchanged words over the last couple of seasons, we’d be surprised if he doesn’t suit up for this game.

Moss and Revis just squared off back in Week 2 when Revis and the Jets beat the Patriots 28-14. Moss was ineffective in that game with only 2 catches for 38 yards and a touchdown. Revis accused Moss of quitting in the second half of that game, and Moss responded with this:

”Between me and him is a mutual thing,” Moss said. “I think he gets caught up a little bit with how he talks. I’ve never said anything about him, good or bad. I still give him his respect, but he hasn't given me mine yet. Sooner or later, I’ll get it.”

POINT OF ATTACK

Under head coach Rex Ryan, the Jets have made their name on the defensive side of the ball. Their defense was phenomenal last year, and it almost as good this season.

But New York’s offense has improved by leaps and bounds after the dismal 9-point effort in the season opener. Over their last three games, the Jets have scored 38, 31, and 28 points, while averaging close to 400 yards of offense per game.

The Jets will finally get their prized off-season acquisition on the field tonight as wide receiver Santonio Holmes returns from his four-game suspension. Holmes will only boost an attack unit that is already in terrific form.

“Adding Santonio to our offense is just going to be huge for us,” Ryan told reporters. “To add a terrific player like Santonio to what we already have, an offense that’s really been rolling…. it’s good.”