Are gambling fans going to see a football game or a prison riot on Sunday? This Steelers-Vikings clash should be an epic one, with Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh hosting this season's current title favorite, Minnesota.

Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers
Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 p.m. ET
BetOnline.com odds: Steelers -6

No, it's not as exciting as World Series odds, but it's close. The big story in Minny this year has been Brett Favre. The former New York Jet and Green Bay Packer is having one of the best seasons of his career and, by the end of year--if he can really pull off another Super Bowl win--it certainly will be the best.

Pittsburgh's quarterback isn't exactly some no-name Joe Fafone, however. Ben Roethlisberger is also on pace to top some of his career marks, including yardage. Big Ben's favorite targets, Hines Ward and Santanio Holmes, are a very formidable duo, but the offense is really taking flight now that Rashard Mendenhall is getting the ball. The 2008 first-round pick underachieved so badly to start his career it was criminal, but the former Illinois star as turned things around. Now Pittsburgh boasts a very balanced offense. Of course, Mendenhall won't be the only runner who charges ahead with a lot of tenacity in this game. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson leads the NFL in rushing after a 143-yard explosion against the Ravens last week (something BetOnline.com bettors are used to seeing by now).

Neither team is living up to expectations on defense, though it hasn't truly hindered them just yet. At least the Steel Curtain can blame its play on injuries. Aaron Smith has been placed on injured reserve and, while his name may not ring a bell, he's been a key cog in the Steelers "D." Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu has missed time as well, though he returned against Cleveland last week and picked off a pass. Minnesota, on the other hand, suffered a meltdown at home, allowing Baltimore to score 21 fourth-quarter points. The Vikings nearly blew the game but were bailed out on a missed field goal.

This is going to be a shootout. Most would say that gives an edge to the Vikings and their big-play offense, but Pittsburgh has just as many weapons, plus the advantage of an improving defense (particularly with the return of Polamalu). Look for a lot of points on the board but the Steelers to make a few less mistakes on offense. If you're saving for an operation betting it all might be a bad idea, but we like the Steelers on NFL odds this week.