2014 NFL Week 3 Picks & Predictions: Vikings vs. Saints
By Anthony Rome
NEW ORLEANS, LA (The Spread) - Can the Saints avoid to falling to 0-3 on the new season when they host the Vikings at 1:00PM ET today?
MINNESOTA: One week after crushing the Rams 34-6 as a 3-point road underdog, the Vikings responded by being thrashed 30-7 at home versus the Patriots in Week 2. Matt Cassel was brutal without Adrian Peterson, who was deactivated for the game after he was indicted in Texas for child abuse. Cassel threw four interceptions in the loss while AP’s backup, Matt Asiata, rushed for just 36 yards on 13 carries after catching a 25-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. While the Vikings intend to bring him back at some point, Peterson has been placed on the NFL’s exempt/commissioner’s permission ban list until his case is resolved. He won’t play today versus New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS: The Browns shocked the Saints 26-24 as a 4.5-point home underdog last week as New Orleans dropped to 0-2 on the year and 0-2 against the spread. Drew Brees completed 27-of-40 passes for 237 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Mark Ingram rushed for 83 yards and 11 carries. Ingram will be out for a month due to a hand injury, although the Saints have more concerns than what’s going on with Sean Payton’s offense. That’s because Rob Ryan’s defense was shredded for 37 points in Atlanta Week 1 and blew a coverage assignment that led directly to Cleveland’s game-winning field goal in Week 2. Ryan better get the defensive issues ironed out soon or else the Saints could slide quickly out of contention.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, the Saints are 10-point favorites over the Vikings while the over/under is currently sitting at 50 points. New Orleans opened as 9-point favorites before the line moved up, while the total opened at 49 before moving up as well.
NFL FREE PICK: Take Minnesota. According to latest NFL trends, the Vikings are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games in New Orleans and 5-2 against the number in their last seven games overall versus the Saints. The Vikings are also 5-0 against the spread in their last five games following a straight up loss, 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall and 5-0 ATS in their last five games versus NFC opponents. The Saints, meanwhile, are 2-5 against the number in their last seven games following an ATS loss and 1-4 ATS in their last five games after accumulating more than 150 yards rushing in their previous game.
2014 NFL WEEK 3 FREE PICK: MINNESOTA VIKINGS +10