New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings 11/12/23 – Entering the tenth week of the National Football League’s regular season, enthusiasts and wagerers are actively seeking informed selections, commonly referred to as NFL free picks today. The forthcoming engagement features two evenly matched teams: the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, both with records of five wins to four losses. This encounter, scheduled for Sunday, is poised to be of critical significance to each franchise’s postseason aspirations. The venue for this highly anticipated matchup is the U.S. Bank Stadium, which is expected to be the backdrop for a contest laden with the fervor and strategic importance characteristic of the latter stages of the NFL campaign.
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings
Date & Time: Sunday, November 12, at 1:00 PM ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium
TV: FOX
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings 11/12/23 Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Saints | -135 | -1.5 (-105) | 38.5 over (-118) |
| Vikings | +115 | +1.5 (-116) | 38.5 under (-104) |
New Orleans Saints Analysis
Offensively, the Saints have shown potential behind the leadership of Derek Carr. With a 64.5% completion rate, Carr has passed for 1910 yards, boasting 8.6 yards per pass attempt, indicative of his ability to make significant plays down the field. Yet, with only 8 touchdowns to 4 interceptions, there is room for improvement in red-zone efficiency. The Saints’ ground game, spearheaded by Alvin Kamara, has been adequate, if unspectacular, with Kamara averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Wide receiver Chris Olave has emerged as a reliable target, amassing 517 yards and averaging 11.8 yards per reception. For the Saints to find success against the Vikings, they will need to leverage their offensive strengths and find more consistency in their passing game.
Defensively, the Saints have been a bit of a conundrum. They’ve managed to keep games close, yet often fail to cover the spread, as evidenced by their 2-5 ATS record in their last 7 games. They’ve excelled in keeping the total score low, with the UNDER hitting in 13 of their last 15 games, pointing towards a robust defense that can limit opponents’ scoring. However, to best the Vikings, the Saints will need to focus on limiting explosive plays and fortifying their red zone defense.
Minnesota Vikings Analysis
The Vikings’ offense has been quite productive, led by the accurate arm of Kirk Cousins. Cousins’ 69.5% completion percentage and 2331 passing yards with 18 touchdowns show a quarterback in sync with his offense, especially when connecting with standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who has tallied 571 yards at an impressive 15.9 yards per reception. The running game, with Alexander Mattison as the primary back, has been steady, contributing to a well-rounded offensive strategy. However, the Saints’ defense will test Minnesota’s ability to maintain this offensive balance.
On the defensive side of the ball, Minnesota has shown resilience, especially in recent games, with a 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games, and a similar record straight-up. However, they’ve struggled against the spread at home, going 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games at U.S. Bank Stadium. To overcome this trend, the Vikings must improve their defense at home, particularly against a Saints team that has performed well against them ATS in recent matchups.
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings Against the Spread
The Saints have a record that should give bettors pause when considering the spread. Although they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against Minnesota, their overall ATS performance this season has been lacking. Moreover, the total has gone UNDER in the majority of their recent games, hinting at a potential defensive battle in Minneapolis.
The Vikings, contrastingly, have been strong against the spread, aside from their struggles at home. Their ability to outperform the spread in recent games could be a sign of an undervalued team by oddsmakers, a factor that can be key for savvy bettors. The total has often gone OVER when these two teams meet, particularly in Minnesota, suggesting that high-scoring affairs are the norm in this matchup.
New Orleans Saints vs. Minnesota Vikings Free Pick
Based on odds, trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: Saints -135
Given the tight spread and the Saints’ success against Minnesota in recent matchups, the Saints seem poised to edge out a victory.
Spread: Vikings +1.5 (-116)
The Vikings’ home-field disadvantage ATS is concerning, but their overall recent ATS performance and the small spread make them attractive to cover, even in a loss.
Total: 38.5 under (-104)
Both teams have shown tendencies toward lower-scoring games this season, and with strong defenses on both sides, a low-scoring affair is likely.
Predicted Score: New Orleans Saints 20, Minnesota Vikings 17
The most reliable pick seems to be the UNDER on the total. Both teams have shown strong defensive capabilities, and the history of unders in Saints’ games makes it an attractive option. For those looking to place their bets, top betting websites in Canada and elsewhere offer competitive odds and insights into the game that can help refine your picks. Remember, while these insights are based on past performances and current statistics, the unpredictable nature of the NFL always leaves room for surprises.
