The Minnesota Vikings thought they had their new starting quarterback. Then, they didn't. Now, they finally have Brett Favre.

Favre and Minnesota Vikings open the NFL season Sunday afternoon at Cleveland Browns Stadium when they visit the Cleveland Browns, who are trying to keep their signal-caller a mystery.

Oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 2½-point favorites versus the Browns, while the game's total is sitting at 39½.
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The Vikings went 10-6 to win the NFC North last season before falling to Philadelphia in the opening round of the playoffs. They got there by using Gus Frerotte and Tarvaris Jackson at quarterback but felt an upgrade at the position was needed and acquired Sage Rosenfels from Houston for a fourth-round draft pick.

The Vikings were upset 35-31 by the Cowboys in their preseason finale last time out, as 3-point favorites. The game's 66 points sailed OVER the posted total of 36.

Cleveland went 4-12 last season and ended 2008 on a six-game losing streak while scoring one touchdown, getting outscored 45-0 in the last two games.

The Browns were outlasted 26-23 by the Bears in their final preseason game last time out, as 2.5-point underdogs. The game's 49 points sailed OVER the posted total of 36.
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2009 team records:
Minnesota: 10-6 SU, 6-10 ATS
Cleveland: 4-12 SU, 7-9 ATS

Minnesota most recently:
When playing in September are 3-7
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the division are 6-4

Cleveland most recently:
When playing in September are 3-7
When playing on grass are 1-9
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the division are 3-7

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Cleveland's last 11 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Cleveland's last 22 games
Cleveland is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Cleveland is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home