Opening point spreads suggest no strong consensus yet on 49ers, Vikings – NBCSports.com
Opening point spreads suggest no strong consensus yet on 49ers, Vikings
AP
The first point spreads of a new NFL season are set with a foot in two worlds — one in the previous season, one in the upcoming season, neither shoe really dug into the earth. These lines are the Long Island Iced Teas of the sports betting world — dashes of truths and assumptions mixed together and handed to the wagering public to taste.
This brings us to the range of point spreads set for the Vikings-49ers opener in September. While the 49ers are favored, they are favored by varying amounts around Las Vegas. On the low end, the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook has made the Niners just 3.5-point favorites. On the other hand, the CG Technology sports books opened San Francisco -4.5, per VegasInsider.com. The William Hill sports books, meanwhile, split the difference and installed San Francisco as a four-point favorite.
So what does this mean? Well, it suggests that oddsmakers believe the 49ers aren’t that much better than the Vikings. That alone is newsworthy; surely, the 49ers would have been bigger favorites at the beginning of last season with coach Jim Harbaugh in the fold and a defense led in part by star inside linebacker Patrick Willis. As we noted earlier Wednesday, the home field is worth about three points, and all of the Vikings-Niners spreads are only a shade higher than a field goal.
Also, the clustering of the lines on or around four points is particularly interesting. The highest number (4.5) should appeal to Vikings backers, while the low number (3.5) is set just-so for the 49ers enthusiasts. It’s also possible handicappers could lay the 3.5 points with San Francisco and take the 4.5 points with Minnesota, thus setting up a potential “middle” — cashing both sides of the bet — if the 49ers win by four points. This was the scenario that crushed Las Vegas sports books in Super Bowl XIII, when the Steelers prevailed 35-31.
It’s very early to be pondering a Week One point spread, of course, and perhaps the game will have one consensus number in time. For now, though, we’re left to observe the little differences in opinion in Nevada about the 49ers and Vikings and wonder where the betting public takes it from here. Does the public gravitate toward upstart Minnesota, thus perhaps showing a lack in confidence in San Francisco? Or do Bay Area backers show some confidence in a club with a solid roster and a new head coach (Jim Tomsula) whose lone other try as 49ers boss resulted in a blowout San Francisco win?
Here is a game that could have quite the effect on how oddsmakers perceive both clubs going forward. A Vikings road win might be a sign their time has arrived, that future Minnesota spreads must be adjusted accordingly. A 49ers win — and especially a decisive one — would help restore some luster to their reputation. An interesting game, this one, and the variety of point spreads suggests it might be a puzzler.
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The Vikings are better than people think. The spread wouldn’t be more than -4 for any home game opponent, so why single out the Vikings? I think they’ll win this one…..mainly because the 49ers aren’t going anywhere.
niners suck
I’m biased but I think the Vikes will make the playoffs this year. Not likely to compete for a title but they should get their shot.
The 9ers aren’t much better than the Vikings 9ers were 8-8 Vikins were 7-9.
The 9ers had half the Lbs retire. So I am not surprised, Both teams are going to need to improve quite a bit to make the playoffs.
The Niners have been completely and utterly gutted, yet still are favored over the hapless and tasteless MN Vikings.
49er vs. Vikings ….. zzzzzz…..
marshawnsdred says:
Apr 22, 2015 6:59 PM
49er vs. Vikings ….. zzzzzz…..
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Its Teddy Time this season. You go ahead and sleep while the vikings annihilate the 49ers Monday Night. Seahawks are going down hard when they come to Minny in December also…..
No bettor in their right mind would “middle” a game with a one point middle, particular if it’s not 3. The juice would kill you!!
Honestly I think the Vikings should be favored because right now theres no telling what 49ers team will show up! We just don’t know and yes i’m a 49ers fan.
I took a look at the Vikings’ schedule and they could very easily go 2-14 this year.
The 49ers haven’t played well against the Vikings. Christian ponder beat the 49ers a few years ago, they held Peterson to 3 yards on 14 carries, and allowed Chester Taylor to go 84 yards to the house. So as a 49ers fan, hoping for better results than the last couple of meetings.
pervyspankspackfans says:
Apr 22, 2015 7:07 PM
Its Teddy Time this season. You go ahead and sleep while the vikings annihilate the 49ers Monday Night. Seahawks are going down hard when they come to Minny in December also….
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I will gladly take you up on the Seattle game, I am guessing the reason this MNF game is week one, is because the league feared for another one of those match ups like the 0-6 Giants vs. the 1-5 Vikings like they had a few seasons ago. That was some cringe worthy football.
Crazy to wager before the team’s rosters are even known lol!
I am ready to wager right now that the Packers will sweep the Vikings this year (yet again). No matter what happens between now and the regular season. And before any of you lavender lunatics says “Oh yeah,what if Rodgers gets hurt,” let me be perfectly clear here. No. Matter. What. Happens.
Easy money. Take the Niners and the points.
Signed,
AP
Eagles – 1 1/2 at Atl. Week 1. Ideal conditions, that offense vs. that defense? Could be best bet of the entire season!
Teddy and the Vikes will deKAPitate the 9ERS!
The Niners will be better than many people think. The Vikings will be better than many people think. The point spread looks good.
Lets be real. The 49ers lost pretty much everybody and the morale in their locker room is going to be crushed.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are trending upwards at an unstoppable rate.
This game is already over before its begun, its just too bad the commentators will be talking more about the 49ers issues than the fact that the Vikings are a much better football team.
No matter what, the niners have had their day. They are going down REALLY fast and hard. The Vikes aren’t the best, but they are ahead of the curve on the way up. Tell me again how the team with the 27th (or was it 29th) rated qb are supposed to win BECAUSE of that qb?! If any team facing the niners can defend a mobile qb kaep just a strange dude with an affinity for kissing his forearm.
I see the Vikings taking it to the 49ers, they are in turmoil and rebuilding their Defense.
Minnesota is about 3 players from a serious playoff run.
The only thing wrong with the Vikings last year were mental mistakes, the correct calls were there. A 1ST round CB and 2nd round MLB, Offensive line in 3rd and 4th rounds, Peterson drawing 2 extra players on the line..
Arrogant Packer fans will be the loudest to cry after
THE stinking Cabbage’s predictions fall on their face.
The Young Vikings made HUGE strides in the last 6 games last season.
Minnesota owned the Packers after halftime in their 2nd game last year, and came one play from beating them in the 4th quarter.
The Vikings are a lot better than people give them credit for, but for some reason played DOWN to bad teams the 1st half of last year.
Let’s wait and see what happens with 28. Then we can make bets.
How about we wait and see who is stupid in the draft and who gets hurt in preseason before we start making week one bets.
Only one thing is sure at this point. The Packers first round pick will produce like a fourth rounder and their best picks will be in the second and fourth round. Again. Seriously, why does TT not just deal away that first pick? He blows it every year.
I absolutely love the fact that scrubs think 49ers are depleted and can’t compete. Keep the ignorance coming, will make sneaking up on y’all all the more fun.
Here’s this as a fact
Mike Zimmer > Tomsula
Really? 49ers are at home and Adrian Peterson wants out….and you guys think this will be close?
LOLOLOOLOLOOLOOL
After seeing the Vikings schedule, I think at best we can go 12-4. My bet is a 10-6 finish and we might be able to squeeze into the playoffs.
It’s not that the 49ers can’t compete it’s just no one wants to compete for them. Vikings by 7+
A Vikings road win might be a sign their time has arrived
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Beating a team that did not go to the playoffs last season and has a new coach might be a sign that their time has arrived?
jayniner says:
Apr 22, 2015 8:43 PM
Really? 49ers are at home and Adrian Peterson wants out….and you guys think this will be close?
LOLOLOOLOLOOLOOL
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This is not the same 49ers team from 2012-2013. Your ‘9ers were 8-8 last year, and lost a number of great players. The Vikes were 7-9 with a rookie QB and no AP. Vikings will surprise you this year.