In a battle of two teams that like to air it out, the New Orleans Saints (+3) are set to face off against the Baltimore Ravens (-3) at M&T Bank Stadium. This vital late afternoon matchup is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m. ET and interested parties can witness the action live on FOX.
New Orleans Saints +3 +120 ov 49½
Baltimore Ravens -3 -140 un 49½
New Orleans Saints at Baltimore Ravens Betting Preview
This Sunday game showcases the Saints as the underdogs and they’re currently being given 3 points. The Saints are also receiving +120 moneyline odds while the Ravens are -140. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 49.5 points. Some good in-game betting opportunities could present themselves during this match.
The game’s O/U has been driven down after initially being set at 51. The opening spread (-3) has stayed firm.
The Saints are down 0.7 units so far and 3-2 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U record of 3-2. The Ravens are up 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 win over Washington on October 8 where Drew Brees completed 26 passes on 29 attempts for 363 yards and three touchdowns. Mark Ingram (only 53 yards on 16 rush attempts, but two TDs) led the ground attack in the win while Cameron Meredith (five receptions, 71 yards) and Michael Thomas (four catches, 74 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Baltimore just picked up a 21-0 win over Tennessee last week. The team’s defense did its part in the victory, restricting the Titans to only 117 passing yards and 55 yards on the ground. Tajae Sharpe was a bright spot in the loss for Tennessee, posting 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 ground game in the win while Willie Snead IV (seven receptions, 60 yards) and Michael Crabtree (six catches, 93 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack.
Breaking down the offensive play-calling, each of these squads has a remarkably similar (60-40 pass-to-run ratio on the season. The Saints have produced 103 rush yards per game and have 10 scores via handoffs this year. The Ravens are putting up 99 rush yards per game and have eight total rushing TDs.
Based on the early season results, it seems like the Saints might own an edge in terms of efficiency in the ground game, as their running backs has produced 4.1 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.1 to opponents. The Ravens have rushed for 3.4 yards per carry and given up 3.9 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Saints offense has averaged 334 yards through the air overall and has 11 passing scores so far. The Ravens have produced 302 pass yards per outing and have nine total pass TDs.
Defensively, New Orleans has allowed opponents to run for an average of 71 yards and pass for 313 yards per game. The Baltimore defense has given up 214.7 yards per game to opposing passers and 82.8 yards per game on the ground. The Ravens are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.26 to opposing QBs, while the Saints have given up an ugly 8.75 ANY/A.
Offensively, Brees is up to 1,441 passing yards this year, and has completed 130-of-158 attempts with 11 passing scores and has yet to throw an interception. He has a pristine 9.73 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 9.66 over the last two outings.
Alvin Kamara, Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith have combined for 452 total yards and five touchdowns over the last two outings.
Joe Flacco has connected on 135-of-208 passes for 1,490 yards, nine TDs and three INTs for Baltimore. His ANY/A sits at 6.90 for the year and 4.86 over his past two games.
Michael Crabtree, Alex Collins and Willie Snead IV have combined for 394 total yards and three touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
RELATED: Week 7 NFL Betting Odds and Predictions
NFL Pick: Saints at Ravens
SU Winner – Saints, ATS Winner – Saints, O/U – Over
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Baltimore D has produced more than twice as many sacks as New Orleans this season (26 versus 12).
Baltimore has lost four fumbles this season while New Orleans has let five get away.
The Saints offense has registered two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Ravens have put up three such plays.
The New Orleans defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Baltimore has given up zero such plays.
The New Orleans offense has created two rushing plays of 20+ yards, while Baltimore has created one such runs.
The Saints defense has allowed two rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Ravens have given up three such runs.
Baltimore has won four of its last five games SU, with a -3-point defeat to Cleveland on October 7th accounting for its lone loss over that stretch.
New Orleans has produced 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 contests and 4.0 over its last two.
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