New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings NFL Picks & Predictions 1/14/2018

Sunday, January 14, 2018

U.S. Bank Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

U.S. Bank Stadium is the venue for the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, January 14, 2018 in an NFC Divisional Playoff game. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 4.5 point favorites. The total has been set at 44. The Vikings are 11-5-0 against the spread and their over/under mark is 7-9-0. The Saints are 9-8-0 ATS and their over/under record is 10-7-0.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 10-7-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 9-8-0 against the spread

Important Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-9-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Vikings are 11-5-0 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

12/29/17 DE John Hughes Arm IR
12/29/17 LB Hau'oli Kikaha Ankle IR
12/21/17 S Kenny Vaccaro Wrist IR
12/19/17 LB A.J. Klein Groin IR
12/08/17 DT David Parry Suspension 4-game suspension (eligible to return for 2018 season)
12/02/17 TE Coby Fleener Concussion IR
11/20/17 DE Alex Okafor Achilles is out for season
11/13/17 RB Daniel Lasco Back IR
10/04/17 LB Alex Anzalone Arm IR
10/03/17 T Zach Strief Knee IR
09/24/17 DE Mitchell Loewen Ankle IR
09/08/17 LS Jon Dorenbos Illness out indefinitely
09/05/17 CB Delvin Breaux Fibula IR
01/08/18 T Andrus Peat Fibula is doubtful Sunday vs Minnesota

Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

12/30/17 LS Kevin McDermott Undisclosed IR
12/26/17 C Nick Easton Ankle IR
12/15/17 TE Blake Bell Shoulder IR
11/08/17 QB Sam Bradford Knee IR
10/02/17 RB Dalvin Cook ACL IR
09/05/17 DE Datone Jones Shoulder IR
01/01/18 C Pat Elflein Shoulder is "?" for divisional round
01/01/18 DT Shamar Stephen Ankle is "?" for divisional round
01/01/18 DB Tramaine Brock Foot is "?" for divisional round

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints have run for 2,070 yards as a unit, which ranks 5th in the league. They've run 444 times, averaging 4.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 105 times for 967 yards so far this year, which has them 17th in the NFL in penalties. They are 4th in the National Football League in points scored with 448. They have run 1,000 plays this year for 6,259 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the NFL in total offense. The Saints average 6.3 yards per play, which is 1st in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 332 1st downs this season, ranking them 8th overall as an offensive unit. Drew Brees has completed 386 throws while attempting 536 passes for a completion percentage of 72%. He has passed for 4,334 yards this year. He averages 11.2 yards per completion and 8.1 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 103.9.

Defensive Statistics

The Saints rush defense has given up 406 attempts for 1,787 yards this season, putting them in 16th place in the NFL against the run. They have had 108 penalties for 850 yards on defense this year. That places them 7th in the league. They've allowed a score on 33.3% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the NFL. New Orleans is 10th in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 326. They have given up a total of 5,384 yards on D, which is 17th in the league. The Saints are 23rd in yards per play allowed with 5.4. Their pass defense has allowed 6 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 16th in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 329 throws on 554 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, ranking them 13th and 17th in the league. The New Orleans pass defense has also surrendered a total of 3,597 yards in the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The New Orleans Saints have tried 36 field goals this season and made 31, which is 11th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 86.1%. New Orleans Saints kickers have made 94% of their extra points, going 47 for 50 this season. Their punters have accumulated 2,822 yards on 60 punts, averaging 47 yards per punt. That ranks them 8th in the NFL in punting average. New Orleans is 16th in the NFL in punt returns with 34. They've totaled 218 punt return yards and are averaging 6.4 yards per return, which is 25th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 24 yards. They have returned 36 kicks for 825 yards on special teams, placing them 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 22.9 yards per kick return and have a long of 106 yards this season. They are 2nd in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 7,447.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Minnesota Vikings are 10th in the NFL in points scored with 382. They have run 1,055 plays this season for 5,710 yards, which ranks them 11th in the league in total offense. The Vikings average 5.4 yards per play, which is 13th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 334 1st downs this year, placing them 6th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Minnesota has run for 1,957 yards as a team, which ranks 7th in the NFL. They've run 501 times, averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Vikings have been penalized on offense 100 times for 949 yards so far this season, which has them 22nd in the league in penalties. Case Keenum has thrown for 3,547 yards this season. He has completed 325 passes on 481 attempts for a completion percentage of 67.6%. His quarterback rating this season is 98.3. He averages 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 10.9 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

Minnesota is 1st in the league in points allowed on defense with 252. They have surrendered a total of 4,415 yards on D, which is 1st in the NFL. The Vikings are ranked 2nd in yards per play allowed with 4.6. Their pass defense has given up 5.2 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 2nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 324 passes on 555 attempts against the Minnesota defense this season, placing them 7th and 19th in the National Football League. The Vikings pass defense has also given up a total of 3,078 yards through the air, which is 2nd overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 364 attempts for 1,337 yards this year, putting them in 2nd place in the league against the run. The Minnesota Vikings have committed 105 penalties for 928 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 20th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 27.9% of possessions on defense, which is 3rd in the league.

Special Teams Stats

Minnesota is ranked 6th in the league in punt returns with 39. They've accumulated 372 punt return yards and average 9.5 yards per return, which is 7th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 46 yards. They have returned 25 kicks for 619 yards on special teams, ranking 21st in kick return yardage. The Vikings average 24.8 yards per kick return and have a long of 39 yards this year. They are 8th in the league in all-purpose yards with 6,877. The Minnesota Vikings have attempted 38 field goals this season and made 32, which is 9th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 84.2%. Minnesota kickers have made 87% of their extra points, going 34 for 39 this year. Their punters have totaled 2,995 yards on 71 punts, averaging 42.2 yards per punt. That places them 32nd in the NFL in punting average.

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

Guy's Pick: Take the Vikings -4.5

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