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Saints vs Vikings NFL Week 9 Spread & Prediction

Saints vs Vikings NFL Week 9 Spread & Prediction

Written by on October 26, 2018

NFL News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
When the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings last met on the field, it looked like the New Orleans Saints were heading to the NFC Championship to take on the Philadelphia Eagles, but then Case Keenum heaved a ball down the field for Stefon Diggs. Diggs hauled it in as a Saints defender lunged out of the way, in a play that he said later was to avoid pass interference. Diggs scampered into the end zone for an unlikely score and a win for the Vikings — who would then get trucked by Philadelphia the next week. New Orleans has waited long for redemption, and their chance comes in prime time this week. The Saints enter with a 5-1 record, while the Vikings are 4-2-1. We have your NFL betting preview for your consideration.

Saints vs Vikings NFL Week 9 Spread & Prediction

When: Sunday, October 28, 2018, 8:20pm ET Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis TV: NBC Radio: Westwood One Live Stream: NFL Live NFLWeek 8 Odds: Minnesota -1, O/U 52.5

Why should you bet on the Saints?

New Orleans had developed a reputation for not being able to win on the road, but last year they started to shed that label. They have won six of nine on the road, and the ageless Drew Brees is having another stellar season, with 13 touchdown passes without a single pick. His favorite targets are Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas, who have five touchdown catches between them, and Kamara is also the leading runner with 363 yards on the season, and six running touchdowns. The defensive side of the ball has been the Saints’ Achilles heel, but with the exception of a couple of barnburners, New Orleans has much the same steel in their defense that they had last year. They are permitting 27.2 points per game and 366 yards of offense. The Saints have covered the spread in 16 of their last 21 games away from home, and in four of their last five against NFC opponents — as well as in four of the last five meetings with the Vikings. Their average margin of victory in road wins this year has been more than a touchdown, so they look like a team ready to come in and deal.

Why should you put your money on the Vikings?

Minnesota has won three in a row after a bumpy start to the Kirk Cousins era. They have won seven out of eight at U.S. Bank Stadium, and Cousins is throwing well, completing 70 percent of his passes and putting up a 14:3 TD:INT ratio. He has a terrific pair of receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, who have combined for eight receiving scores. The ground game has struggled a bit, as featured back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) has been in and out of the lineup, and Latavius Murray has produced inconsistently in Cook’s absence. The Vikings’ defense has been far more fragile than it was a year ago, as they are permitting 23.6 points per game — although that average has dropped in the three-game win streak. Minnesota has covered the spread in 35 of their last 52 home games. Given that the point spread is just 1, we’re basically arguing as to which team will come away with the win. The Minnesota has improved as Cousins has grown into the Vikings’ offensive system, and the defense is finding ways to make stops as well.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I’d been waiting for New Orleans to find its defensive persona, which made last year’s success such a pleasant surprise. They bring a similar approach to their football this year, and the added motivation of avenging that dreadful ending in the postseason should give the Saints the edge in what will be a very tight game. I predict a final score of New Orleans 24, Minnesota 20.
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