NFL Betting: No Daunte, No Problem

READ MORE: Brad Johnson, Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, NFL Betting

That’s the sentiment according to Covers, which says that the 1 1/2 points the Vikings are getting as home underdogs this week against Detroit is something to look into—even without quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Covers makes a point that when Culpepper was absent for three games in 2003. Minnesota won and covered all three contests. However, this is a different Vikings team since then, but a home underdog against a (weak) division rival is not the worst thing in the world. Even with Brad Johnson at quarterback.

Culpepper Injury a Positive For Vikings? [Covers]
Detroit at Minnesota [Covers]

Fantasy Football: Brad Johnson Redux

READ MORE: Brad Johnson, Daunte Culpepper, Fantasy Football

The fantasy football world was pretty disaffected by the whole Daunte Culpepper injury. All that time spent waiting for the guy to play like last season was getting rather old. However, it’s still a little strange to start trumpeting Brad Johnson as a possible roster replacement to make up for the Culpepper loss. But that’s what Fort Worth Star-Telegram fantasy writer David Thomas is telling owners to do. It’s a half-hearted suggestion at best, but he still said this:

“One thing to watch for is whether Johnson develops a favorite receiver. Moss topped 1,300 yards in six of his seven years with the Vikings. This year, the Vikings don’t have a player on pace for 1,000 yards, so they have lacked a go-to fantasy player. Owners of Nate Burleson, Marcus Robinson, Travis Taylor, Travis Williamson and tight end Jermaine Wiggins should begin hoping now that Johnson takes a liking to their guy.”

Yeah. We’re fired up about Johnson. Wee. However, we think Thomas is just hoping for one of those Trent Dilfer-type rejuvenations that sometimes happens with struggling teams. Maybe. Possibly. But we’re also pretty sure this Vikings team is stuck in minimal effort mode for the rest of the season now that their boat orgy priviledges have been removed.
Culpepper’s Replacement Could Be Worth A Look [Fort Worth Star-Telegram]

Fantasy Football: Maybe Daunte Culpepper Needs to be Burped?

READ MORE: Daunte Culpepper, Fantasy Football, Scott Engel

The scary mug of ESPN’s Scott Engel chimes in this morning about the troublesome quarterback situation in Minnesota with Daunte Culpepper. Engel’s wrankled, he’s chafed—he’s as upset about your number one fantasy football pick as you are:

Culpepper has been done in by the loss of Randy Moss and the invisible play of his current receivers in his first two games. A limp running game hasn’t helped, either. Consider benching Burleson until he shows signs of playing better, while avoiding all other Vikings as starters except for Culpepper in the near future. Starting Culpepper in Week 3 will be no easy decision, but facing the New Orleans defense should be easier than the units he faced in Weeks 1 and 2 (Tampa Bay, Cincinnati).

Engel’s aghast. He didn’t even shave this morning he was so distraught. Does he even have to shave? We imagine him growing one of those weird Wolfman-style jowel growths like Cliff Clavin grew during the beard growing competition in Cheers. Enough about that. Engel also thinks Detroit Lions’ quarterback Joey Harrington needs to be put to sleep. Everybody knew this guy was Heath Shuler part II. Don’t be suprised if Harrington is donning a baseball cap on the sidelines for another team next year.

FFL Sunday Review [ESPNINSIDER (sub. req.)]