NFL football betting - Vikings vs Saints odds
Posted on 10/1/2008 3:47:44 PM
By Stan Simmons
Betting on sports: New Orleans favored at home
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WHO: Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. New Orleans Saints (-3)
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WHAT: NFL football betting
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WHEN: Monday, October 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET
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WHERE: Louisiana Superdome
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KEY STATS: Minnesota is 1-6 ATS in its last seven games; the total has gone OVER in eight of New Orleans's last nine games
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PICK: New Orleans -3
After a rugged defensive battle last week between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday Night Football should get its wish and receive another good old fashioned shootout this week.
While Vikings vs Saints lines only have the total set at 47, these two teams love to score points and have had plenty of trouble keeping them off their own side of the scoreboard this season. If you’re NFL betting this week, be prepared to sit on the edge of your seat.
The Vikings’ defensive struggles have been quite surprising, considering it’s their stellar “D” that wooed oddsmakers into pegging them as a Super Bowl contender on preseason NFL lines.
Even more surprising is their red-zone inefficiency, considering they do have a fellow by the name of Adrian Peterson in the backfield. However, as seen in last week’s crushing 30-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, teams league-wide are now stacking the box on the goal line to neutralize the All-Pro running back, forcing Gus Frerotte and the Vikes’ suspect receiving corps to find their way into the end zone.
Meanwhile, after a rocky start, the Saints have climbed back to .500 following a 31-17 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Vikings vs Saints betting surprisingly favors New Orleans after losing Jeremy Shockey and Marques Colston prior to the Niners game, however quarterback Drew Brees managed to find nine different receivers to maintain the league’s best passing offense (327.2 yards per-game).
To be fair, it’s the Vikings’ pass defense that has been atrocious, as their rush defense remains stellar. Unfortunately, the Saints don’t tend to run the ball very much—in fact, running back Reggie Bush is more of a wide receiver than he is a halfback.
Minnesota pivot Gus Frerotte is no slouch though, airing it out for 288 yards last week—albeit mostly in garbage time. While the veteran Frerotte is serviceable, he’ll definitely lose out to the younger, stronger Brees if the game turns into a game of pitch-and-catch.
With the Vikings vs Saints spread set at the generic three points in favor of the home team, one of the smartest NFL football picks of the week is to take either team plus the points, because this one sure isn’t ending in a field goal like last week’s Monday Nighter.
STAN’S PICK: The Saints can air it out better than any team in the league and are fifth in total points scored. If the game degenerates into a shootout as it’s predicted to, New Orleans will come out on top—but not without scoring more than a few touchdowns. Bet on the Saints.
The BetOnline.com internet sportsbook features the best NFL betting, odds and lines in the business. Also check out the Bettor’s Edge, where you can get tips and insight into Vikings vs Saints lines and other great NFL picks.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
