New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings Week 8 NFL Picks & Predictions 10/28/2018

Sunday, October 28, 2018

U.S. Bank Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The New Orleans Saints travel to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 28, 2018. The opening line for this game has Minnesota as 2.5 point favorites. The over/under has been set at 53.

The Saints have an ATS record of 4-2-0 while their over/under record is 3-3-0. The Vikings have an over/under record of 4-3-0 and they are 4-2-1 against the spread.

Valuable New Orleans Saints Betting Trends

The New Orleans Saints are 3-3-0 against the over/under

The New Orleans Saints are 4-2-0 against the spread

Important Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-3-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-2-1 against the spread

Key New Orleans Saints Injuries

10/22/18 S Marcus Williams Undisclosed is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/21/18 T Andrus Peat Concussion is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/21/18 T Jermon Bushrod Undisclosed is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/21/18 DT Taylor Stallworth Ankle is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/21/18 G Josh LeRibeus Ankle injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/18/18 WR Ted Ginn Jr. Knee IR
09/26/18 CB Patrick Robinson Ankle IR
09/21/18 WR Tommylee Lewis Knee IR
09/04/18 TE Michael Hoomanawanui Neck IR
09/04/18 DB Rickey Jefferson Knee IR
09/04/18 RB Shane Vereen Finger IR
09/04/18 WR Travin Dural Arm IR

Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

10/22/18 CB Xavier Rhodes Ankle is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 T Tom Compton Knee injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 S Andrew Sendejo Groin is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 LB Anthony Barr Hamstring left last game, is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 RB Dalvin Cook Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 DT Linval Joseph Ankle is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/21/18 T Riley Reiff Foot is questionable Sunday vs New Orleans
10/15/18 CB Mike Hughes ACL is out for season
09/28/18 DE Everson Griffen Personal is out indefinitely
09/10/18 T Aviante Collins Elbow IR
09/04/18 DE Ade Aruna Knee IR
09/04/18 T Cedrick Lang Leg IR
09/04/18 DE Hercules Mata'afa Knee IR
09/04/18 FB Johnny Stanton Leg IR
09/04/18 TE Josiah Price Knee IR
08/10/18 C Nick Easton Neck IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The New Orleans Saints are 4th in the NFL in points scored with 204. They have run 397 plays this season for 2,459 yards, which ranks them 2nd in the league in total offense. The Saints average 6.2 yards per play, which is 1st in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 154 1st downs this year, placing them 8th overall as an offensive unit. On the ground New Orleans has run for 650 yards as a team, which ranks 5th in the NFL. They've run 166 times, averaging 3.9 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Saints have been penalized on offense 38 times for 398 yards so far this season, which has them 17th in the league in penalties. Drew Brees has thrown for 1,870 yards this season. He has completed 170 passes on 220 attempts for a completion percentage of 77.3%. His quarterback rating is 121.6. He averages 8.5 yards per pass attempt and 11 yards per completion.

Defensive Statistics

New Orleans is 10th in the league in points allowed on defense with 163. They have surrendered a total of 2,196 yards on D, which is 17th in the NFL. The Saints are ranked 23rd in yards per play allowed with 6. Their pass defense has given up 7.8 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 16th in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 147 passes on 213 attempts against the New Orleans Saints defense this season, placing them 13th and 17th in the National Football League. The New Orleans pass defense has also given up a total of 1,762 yards through the air, which is 15th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has allowed 139 attempts for 434 yards this year, putting them in 16th place in the league against the run. The Saints have committed 33 penalties for 326 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 7th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 43.5% of possessions on defense, which is 16th in the league.

Special Teams Stats

New Orleans is ranked 16th in the league in punt returns with 9. They've accumulated 31 punt return yards and average 3.4 yards per return, which is 25th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 10 yards. They have returned 11 kicks for 240 yards on special teams, ranking 8th in kick return yardage. The Saints average 21.8 yards per kick return and have a long of 47 yards this year. They are 2nd in the league in all-purpose yards with 2,455. The New Orleans Saints have attempted 12 field goals this season and made 11, which is 11th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 91.7%. New Orleans Saints kickers have made 94% of their extra points, going 15 for 16 this year. Their punters have totaled 632 yards on 13 punts, averaging 48.6 yards per punt. That places them 8th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Minnesota Vikings have run for 612 yards as a unit, which ranks 7th in the league. They've run 152 times, averaging 4 yards per rush as a unit. The Vikings have been penalized on offense 44 times for 346 yards so far this year, which has them 22nd in the NFL in penalties. They are 10th in the National Football League in points scored with 177. They have run 471 plays this year for 2,663 yards, which ranks them 11th in the NFL in total offense. The Vikings average 5.7 yards per play, which is 13th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 143 1st downs this season, ranking them 6th overall as an offensive unit. Kirk Cousins has completed 210 throws while attempting 300 passes for a completion percentage of 70%. He has passed for 2,162 yards this year. He averages 10.3 yards per completion and 7.2 yards per pass attempt. His quarterback rating this season is 101.8.

Defensive Statistics

The Vikings rush defense has given up 168 attempts for 628 yards this season, putting them in 2nd place in the NFL against the run. They have had 45 penalties for 327 yards on defense this year. That places them 20th in the league. They've allowed a score on 34.9% of possessions on defense, which is 3rd in the NFL. Minnesota is 1st in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 165. They have given up a total of 2,421 yards on D, which is 1st in the league. The Vikings are 2nd in yards per play allowed with 5.7. Their pass defense has allowed 6.9 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 2nd in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 148 throws on 239 attempts against the Minnesota Vikings defense this season, ranking them 7th and 19th in the league. The Vikings pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,793 yards in the air, which is 2nd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Minnesota Vikings have tried 14 field goals this season and made 9, which is 9th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 64.3%. Minnesota kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 13 for 13 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,155 yards on 27 punts, averaging 42.8 yards per punt. That ranks them 32nd in the NFL in punting average. Minnesota is 6th in the NFL in punt returns with 10. They've totaled 68 punt return yards and are averaging 6.8 yards per return, which is 7th in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 20 yards. They have returned 7 kicks for 173 yards on special teams, placing them 21st in kick return yardage. The Vikings average 24.7 yards per kick return and have a long of 46 yards this season. They are 8th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 2,686.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Saints +2.5

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