Via @vikings_fanly
New Orleans Saints (5-1) vs. Minnesota Vikings (4-2-1) at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
NFL Week 8: 8:20 ET on Sunday, October 28, 2018
The marquee matchup from this weekend could very well be Sunday night when the New Orleans Saints take on the Minnesota Vikings. This is a battle of two of the best teams in the NFC and could very well be a playoff preview between as both teams lead their respective divisions.
Minnesota leads the all-time series between these two teams, 22-11-0. Minnesota has won the last two games but, prior to that, New Orleans had won four straight.
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Missed PAT Gives Saints Hard Fought 24-23 Victory
Sunday’s Battle between the New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens proved to be a classic affair, coming down to the final few seconds when Justin Tucker missed a point after attempt to secure the Saints 24-23 victory. Quarterback Drew Brees had another outstanding game, passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns against a stout Ravens defense. Brees has thrown for 1870 yards this season with 13 touchdowns and he has yet to throw an interception this season. Plus, he has completed 77.3% of his passes.
Alvin Kamara led the team in rushing, earning 64 tough yards against the Baltimore defense. That gives him 728 yards rushing this season with an impressive 6.1 yards per carry average to go along with eight touchdowns. Michael Thomas had seven catches for 69 yards and a score. He has 53 catches the season for 588 yards, and it has been impressive that of the 58 times he has been targeted only five times has it resulted in an incomplete pass.
New Orleans is averaging 34 points per game and 409.8 yards of total offense. They are allowing 27.2 points while giving up on average 366 yards per game.
Kirk Cousins Leads Vikings to 37-17 Victory
The Minnesota Vikings downed the New York Jets on Sunday, 37-17, thanks to two touchdown passes from Kirk Cousins. The Vikings clung to a three-point lead heading into the half, but put up 27 points in the second half, including 17 in the final quarter, on their way to victory. Quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns. In seven games, the Minnesota quarterback has thrown for 2162 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Latavius Murray led Minnesota in rushing in the game, getting 69 yards and scoring two touchdowns. He has 330 yards rushing this season. Adam Thielen has become the primary target for Cousins, making nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown against New York. This season he has 67 receptions for 822 yards and five scores.
The Vikings are averaging 25.3 points per game while giving up 23.6 on average. Their rushing attack has struggled, averaging just 87.4 yards per game while the team is producing 380.4 yards of total offense on average. The defense is giving up 346 yards per game on average and has been solid against opposing running attacks, holding opponents to 89.9 yards on the ground.
Trends:
New Orleans:
- 4-0 ATS following a victory.
- 4-0 ATS in their last four games.
- 21-5 ATS in their last 26 games in October.
- 4-1 ATS in their last five games against NFC teams.
Minnesota:
- 5-0-1 ATS in their last six games in October.
- 11-1 ATS in their last 12 games at home when facing a team with a winning record.
- 1-4 ATS in their last five games against teams with a winning record.
- 3-1-1 ATS in their last five games against NFC teams.
The Winner Prediction
The Vikings have won the last two meetings between these two teams, both in Minnesota. However, last year’s battle was a classic as the Vikings won the playoff matchup by just five points. That should bode well for an incredible contest here as well, as this is a battle of two of the hottest quarterbacks in the NFL.
Because the line is set at 1.0 this is basically a battle of who will simply win the game. The Saints are playing a lot better right now and are better in most facets of the game. Therefore, the smart bet is on New Orleans.
The Pick: New Orleans Saints +1.0 (-115)
The Total
When you combine the two points these teams are averaging each game you come up with 59.3, but you also come up with 50.8 that they are allowing on average. That makes a total of 51.5 seem like the over is a slam dunk and, with the way these two quarterbacks are playing, that would seem to make sense.
The Pick: Over 51.5 (-110)