A couple of franchises that like to air it out, the New Orleans Saints (+3) are taking the field against the Baltimore Ravens (-3) at M&T Bank Stadium. This key late afternoon game gets underway at 4:05 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FOX.
Betting Preview: New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens
In this Sunday game, Baltimore has been projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 3 points. The Saints are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Ravens are -140. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 49.5 points, and if one team can get out in front early, it will likely produce a decent live betting opportunity.
The game’s total has moved down after opening at 51. The original spread has not shifted.
The Saints are down 0.7 units so far and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 3-2.
The Ravens have gained 1.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-2 ATS and have an O/U record of 2-4.
The Saints have gone 4-1 straight up (SU) in 2018 while the Ravens are 4-2 SU.
The Saints are coming off a resounding 43-19 victory over Washington on October 8. Drew Brees completed 26-of-29 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns. Mark Ingram (just 53 yards on 16 rush attempts, but two TDs) led the ground attack while Cameron Meredith (five receptions, 71 yards) and Michael Thomas (four catches, 74 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Baltimore is coming off of a lopsided 21-0 win over Tennessee in Week 6. The Ravens defense held its ground in the victory, limiting the Titans to just 117 passing yards and 55 rushing yards. Tajae Sharpe had a good showing in the loss for Tennessee, recording 33 yards on two catches. For Baltimore, Joe Flacco completed 25-of-37 passes for 238 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Alex Collins (54 rushing yards on 19 attempts, two TDs) and Gus Edwards (42 yards on 10 carries) handled the running game while Willie Snead IV (seven receptions, 60 yards) and Michael Crabtree (six catches, 93 yards, one TD) led the receiving corps in the win.
Looking at offensive play-calling, each of these squads has a remarkably similar (60-40 pass-to-run ratio on the season. The Saints have rushed for 103.2 yards per game and have 10 scores on the ground this year. The Ravens are averaging 99.2 rush yards per game and have eight total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it seems like the Saints may have an advantage when it comes to RB efficiency. Their backfield has logged 4.1 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 3.1 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Ravens have rushed for 3.4 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 3.9 to opponents.
The Saints offense has averaged 333.6 yards through the air overall and has 11 passing scores so far. The Ravens have produced 302.0 pass yards per outing and have nine total pass TDs.
New Orleans has allowed opponents to rush for an average of 71.4 yards and pass for 313.4 yards per game. The Baltimore defense has allowed 214.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 82.8 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.26 to opponents, while the Saints have allowed an ugly 8.75 ANY/A.
Offensively, Brees has amassed 1,441 passing yards this year. The signal-caller has completed 82 percent of his 158 attempts with 11 scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Brees has a pristine 9.73 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.66 over the last two games.
Alvin Kamara (165 rushing yards, two rush TDs, 304 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown this season), Michael Thomas (472 receiving yards, three receiving TDs) and Tre’Quan Smith (129 receiving yards, two TDs) have all played significant roles lately.
Joe Flacco has completed 135-of-208 passes for 1,490 yards, nine TDs and three INTs for Baltimore. His ANY/A stands at 6.90 for the season and 4.86 over his past two outings.
Michael Crabtree (277 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns this season), Alex Collins (212 rush yards, four rush TDs, one receiving TD) and Willie Snead IV (258 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined for 394 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns over the past two games.
New Orleans Saints vs. Baltimore Ravens Free Betting Pick
SU Winner: Ravens, ATS Winner: Ravens, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Saints offense has produced two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Ravens have accounted for three such plays.
- The New Orleans defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Baltimore has given up zero such plays.
- The New Orleans offense has created two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Baltimore has created one such runs.
- The Saints defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Ravens have given up three such runs.
- The Baltimore defense has notched more than twice the sack total of New Orleans this year (26 versus 12).
- As a team, New Orleans has averaged 4.5 yards per carry over its past three games and 4.2 over its last two.
- Baltimore has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.0 over its last two.
- Baltimore has won four of its last five games SU, with a -3-point defeat to Cleveland on October 7th representing its one loss over that span.
