MNF Week 5 Preview:

At NY Jets -4.5 Minnesota 39.5

There’s probably way too much drama for the Vikings heading into this game. When the media is focused more on one player’s off-field issues than what transpires between the stripes, it’s generally a team problem. First off, there’s Favre and his purported inappropriate use of a cell phone. If this allegation is credible, this guy has some serious growing up to do. Anyone over the age of 14 who finds something as stupid as that amusing has more than a few issues. A real man does not behave like a boor toward any woman at any time. Randy Moss has returned to the Vikes to provide Favre with a moving target, but it may be the case that his arrival is too little and too late. Favre had a very good year last year, but to invest the fortunes of an entire team on an aging player is folly. With the way things have played out so far, the NFC North is going to be a three-way dogfight going forward. However, the Vikes considered themselves to be contenders for the throne. Their performance on Monday against the Jets will go a long way to determine the probability moving forward. Losing on Monday night would put them at 1-3 and down there in the pit with the Lions looking up from a deep hole.

The Jets are finally beginning to get all of their defensive players (except Jenkins) back on the field. The defense is aggressive and looking to make it a long and miserable night for Favre and the Vikes’ offense, Revis is salivating over the thought of shutting down Moss, a player whom he has regarded in derogatory terms. Either Revis is delusional or he is extremely good. He’s not delusional and Moss simply cannot step into a new offensive system and terminology in less than a week and perform seamlessly. Mark Sanchez doesn’t need to carry the offense on his shoulders, but make good reads and move the chains effectively, using his runners and Dustin Keller. This is a national television game and the Jets want to make a big statement that they’re serious contenders.

Projected Final Score: NY Jets 23, Minnesota 16