Jaguars Underdogs In Minnesota

The Jacksonville Jaguars head to Minnesota on Saturday to get ready for their matchup with the Vikings to open the 2012 regular season as 3.5 point underdogs. The line originally opened up with the Jaguars at 4.5 dogs on the road, but it's quickly moved down a full point.

It's not a shock to see the Jaguars as the road dogs in the opener, as these two teams are very similar. They're both starting second-year quarterbacks who had rocky rookie season and both have a big question mark at running back. Obviously, the Vikings question mark is much bigger than the Jaguars because at least Maurice Jones-Drew is healthy.

Here's what OddsShark had to say about the game:

OddsShark Staff - After winning only three games last year, the Minnesota Vikings are hoping for a win Sunday when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Metrodome.But they do so against the team that has been the best Week 1 against-the-spread foe of the past 13 years.The Jaguars (+3.5 at $5DIMES-LINK$) just became a much tougher out Sunday though with news that star running back Maurice Jones-Drew has ended his holdout. And their 11-2 ATS run in 13 season openers means they bring it in Week 1, even if they don't for the rest of the regular season.Rashad Jennings is still expected to start Week 1. Minnesota is 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS in its last five games at home and is also a profitable 8-2 ATS past 10 season openers.

My prediction: Jaguars 24, Vikings 17