MATT VENSEL: THE VIKINGS WILL HOLD THE JETS TO FEWER THAN 100 RUSHING YARDS

The Vikings have given up more than 100 rushing yards in each of their past four games, and the Panthers gouged them for 178 yards last weekend. The Jets, meanwhile, rank third in the NFL in rushing yards after rushing for 277 yards -- in a loss! -- against the Dolphins on Monday. So this is a recipe for disaster for the Vikings, right? Wrong. The Vikings have focused on fixing their ailing run defense all week, and I expect them to load up to stop the run against the Jets, forcing Geno Smith to beat them, which he probably won't do. Look for the Vikings to hold the Jets under 100 rushing yards as they cruise to a double-digit victory.
MARK CRAIG: READY FOR FULL TANK MODE, JETS TURN THE BALL OVER SIX TIMES

To say the Jets will turn the ball over and lose isn't exactly a bold prediction for a team that's 2-10 and 31st in turnover differential (minus-12). So we'll ramp it up a notch and say the Jets return to full tank mode (see 35-point loss to Buffalo in Detroit two weeks ago) and turn the ball over six times. We'll give three picks to Geno Smith, assuming he throws it that many times. The Jets' No. 2-ranked running game would be more of a concern if the Jets knew how to turn 277 yards rushing into more than one touchdown. The Vikings are the only team in the league that hasn't beaten a team with .500 record or better. But they're 5-2 against teams they probably should beat. And this is definitely a team the Vikings probably should beat.
MASTER TESFATSION: SHERELS RETURNS PUNT FOR TOUCHDOWN

The Vikings last week benefited from two punts blocked and returned for touchdowns in the victory over the Panthers. What was also noticeable was punt returner Marcus Sherels, who averaged 22.5 yards on two punt returns. He had some good blocking in a good special teams performance by the Vikings. Expect the Vikings to score another special teams touchdown against the Jets with Sherels collecting his third career punt returned for a touchdown.
CHRIS MILLER: ADRIAN PETERSON WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY

This will be the Vikings last game without A.D. The way the appeal of his suspension went, it seems obvious he was promised he could return with "time served" and he is being punished under the NFL's new personal conduct policy, rather than the old one. If hearing officer Harold Henderson waits three weeks, like other appeals rulings in the NFL, Peterson would be back for only one game, which certainly doesn't seem fair to anyone. My guess is he's reinstated on Monday and will be back for the Vikings' final three games.