#164 ASA PLAY ON 8* Tampa Bay -7 over Minnesota, Sunday at 1:00 PM ET - Tampa looks like they are trending downward but we disagree. This is a perfect spot to jump on the Bucs coming off back to back 3 point losses vs the Rams & Chiefs. Notice the opponents. Probably the best team in the AFC and possibly the NFL (Chiefs) and one of the top few teams in the NFC (Rams). The Bucs are also coming off a bye to get refreshed and ready for the stretch run. Minnesota looks like they are trending upward but we don’t necessarily agree. They have won 5 of their last 6 games. They’re on impressive win during that stretch was way back on November 1st when they beat GB 28-22 despite being outgained by 75 yards. The Packers had 4 turnovers in that game which helped Minnesota’s cause. Since that win, they’ve played 4 of their last 5 games at home and their wins have come against Detroit, Chicago, Carolina, and Jacksonville. Their last 2 wins vs the Panthers and Jags have gone to the wire with the Vikings winning by 1 and by 3 in OT. Their loss during that stretch? The Cowboys beat them in Minnesota. So while TB was playing some of the top teams in the league, Minnesota was padding their record at home vs less than stellar competition. The Viking offense needs RB Cook to have a big day to open up the passing game for QB Cousins. He has done that as of late topping 100 yards in 4 of his last 6 with a 96 yard performance also thrown in. Now he faced the #1 defense in the NFL vs the run in Tampa who allows only 74 YPG rushing on 3.3 YPC. Stopping Cook puts huge pressure on Cousins and he hasn’t always handled that well. If they become one dimensional they’ll have problems with the TB pass rush which is one of the best in the league (6th in sacks per game). The Tampa offense should have plenty of success vs a Minnesota defense that has allowed 31 points to Dallas, 27 to Carolina, and 24 to Jacksonville their last 3 games. Tom Brady is 34-12 ATS coming off a loss and when the Bucs win they tend to win big with their 7 wins coming by an average of 17 points. Lay it with Tampa.