New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints Week 2 NFL Picks & Predictions 9/17/2017

Sunday, September 17, 2017

Mercedes-Benz Superdome

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New England Patriots head to Mercedes-Benz Superdome to play the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 17, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has New England as 4 point favorites. The total has been set at 53.5. The Patriots are 0-1-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 1-0-0. The Saints are 0-1-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 1-0-0.

Valuable New England Patriots Betting Trends

The New England Patriots are 1-0-0 against the over/under

The New England Patriots are 0-1-0 against the spread

Important New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 1-0-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 0-1-0 against the spread

Key New England Patriots Injuries

09/11/17 WR Danny Amendola Concussion "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
09/11/17 LB Dont'a Hightower Knee doubtful Sunday vs. New Orleans
09/11/17 LB Harvey Langi Concussion "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
09/11/17 DT Vincent Valentine Knee "?" Sunday vs. New Orleans
09/07/17 OL Cameron Fleming Ankle "?"
09/06/17 WR Malcolm Mitchell Knee IR
09/05/17 WR Julian Edelman ACL IR
09/04/17 LB Shea McClellin Undisclosed IR
09/01/17 CB Cyrus Jones ACL IR

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

09/12/17 T Zach Strief Knee expected to miss 2-3 weeks
09/11/17 LB Nathan Stupar Hamstring "?" Sunday vs. New England
09/11/17 LB Stephone Anthony Ankle "?" Sunday vs. New England
09/11/17 T Terron Armstead Shoulder "?" Sunday vs. New England
09/11/17 DE Trey Hendrickson Illness "?" Sunday vs. New England
09/08/17 LS Jon Dorenbos Illness out indefinitely
09/05/17 CB Delvin Breaux Fibula IR
09/05/17 WR Willie Snead IV Suspension 3-game suspension (eligible to return 10/01 vs Miami)

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New England Patriots are 7th in the National Football League in points scored with 27. They have run 74 plays this year for 371 yards, which ranks them 7th in the NFL in total offense. The Patriots average 5 yards per play, which is 13th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 25 1st downs this season, ranking them 3rd overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New England has run for 124 yards as a unit, which ranks 9th in the league. They've run 35 times, averaging 3.5 yards per rush as a unit. The Patriots have been penalized on offense 6 times for 55 yards so far this year, which has them 14th in the NFL in penalties. Tom Brady has passed for 267 yards this year. He's completed 16 throws while attempting 36 passes for a completion percentage of 44.4%. His quarterback rating this season is 70. He averages 16.7 yards per completion and 7.4 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

New England is 31st in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 42. They have given up a total of 537 yards on D, which is 32nd in the league. The Patriots are 32nd in yards per play allowed with 8.3. Their pass defense has allowed 9.3 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 29th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 28 throws on 35 attempts against the New England Patriots defense this season, ranking them 29th and 17th in the league. The New England pass defense has also surrendered a total of 352 yards in the air, which is 32nd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 27 attempts for 185 yards this season, putting them in 31st place in the NFL against the run. The Patriots have had 15 penalties for 139 yards on defense this year. That places them 31st in the league.

Special Teams Stats

New England has returned 3 kicks for 49 yards on special teams, placing them 7th in kick return yardage. The Patriots average 16.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 26 yards this season. They are 6th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 448. The New England Patriots have tried 2 field goals this season and made 2, which is 12th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 100.0%. New England Patriots kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 3 for 3 this season. Their punters have accumulated 242 yards on 6 punts, averaging 40.3 yards per punt. That ranks them 26th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 60 yards as a team, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. They've run 21 times, averaging 2.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 6 times for 52 yards so far this season, which has them 17th in the league in penalties. They are 18th in the NFL in points scored with 19. They have run 59 plays this season for 344 yards, which ranks them 13th in the league in total offense. The Saints average 5.8 yards per play, which is 4th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 19 1st downs this year, placing them 18th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees averages 7.9 yards per pass attempt and 10.8 yards per completion. He has completed 27 passes on 37 attempts for a completion percentage of 73%. His quarterback rating is 104.7. He has thrown for 291 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has allowed 30 attempts for 129 yards this year, putting them in 27th place in the league against the run. New Orleans has committed 5 penalties for 50 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 14th in the NFL. They are 28th in the league in points allowed on defense with 29. They have surrendered a total of 470 yards on D, which is 31st in the NFL. The New Orleans Saints are ranked 31st in yards per play allowed with 7.5. Their pass defense has given up 10.3 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 32nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 27 passes on 32 attempts against the New Orleans defense this season, placing them 28th and 15th in the National Football League. The Saints pass defense has also given up a total of 341 yards through the air, which is 31st overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have attempted 4 field goals this season and made 4, which is 3rd in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 100.0%. Their punters have totaled 171 yards on 3 punts, averaging 57 yards per punt. That places them 2nd in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans has returned 3 kicks for 57 yards on special teams, ranking 6th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 19 yards per kick return and have a long of 26 yards this year. They are 11th in the league in all-purpose yards with 408.

Who will win tonight's Patriots/Saints NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Saints +4

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