Support grows for the Vikings

While the New England Patriots have hogged headlines with their undefeated start and bloated point spreads, the Minnesota Vikings have quietly emerged over the last month as a solid play for bettors.

Behind a dominant running game -- led by Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor -- the Vikings have won three games in a row and have covered the line in four of their last five.

Minnesota (6-6) opened as a seven-point road favorite for today’s game at San Francisco, but the line quickly jumped to as high as 9.5 points on some offshore sportsbooks.

Hot teams always attract money from the occasional bettor, and that’s the case this week with Minnesota.

According to Wagerline.com, the Vikings have picked up 72.49% of the bets against the spread (1,673-635), and the Spread.com’s betting chart also has their support at 73%.

Note: Minnesota, 6-4-2 against the spread for the season, is far from a lock to cover. The Vikings are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games as a road favorite, and the 49ers covered the line two weeks ago when they were similar underdogs against Arizona.

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New England began the week as a 14.5-point home favorite over Pittsburgh for today’s game, but the line dropped to 10.5 points by Saturday.

Early support for the Steelers -- playing as underdogs for the first time this season -- was strong for a couple of reasons.

Pittsburgh is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games against a team with a winning record and 8-3 against the spread in its last 11 games as a road underdog.

Another factor that favored the Steelers, 9-3 overall and 7-5 against the spread this season, is that they are facing the Patriots, who have looked vulnerable in recent weeks.

New England, 12-0 overall and 9-3 against the spread, has failed to cover the line two weeks in a row and in three of its last four games.

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Here are a few proposition bets for today’s game between New England and Pittsburgh, according to Bodoglife.com:

* How many passing yards will Tom Brady have? Over 305 1/2 (-115) or under 305 1/2 (-115).

* How many passes will Brady complete? Over 25 1/2 (-115) or under 25 1/2 (-115).

* How many touchdown passes will Brady have? Over 2 1/2 (-130), or under 2 1/2 (even).

* How many fumbles will Willie Parker have? Over one (-105) or under one (-125).

Pro basketball

Ever since Stephen Jackson has returned to the lineup, Golden State has been a reliable bet. The Warriors, who have won eight of their last nine games, are 8-4 against the spread since Jackson ended a league suspension to start the season.

Without Jackson, Golden State was 1-6 overall and 2-5 against the spread. The Warriors will play the Lakers tonight at Staples Center.

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lonnie.white@latimes.com