NFL Predictions: Will the Ravens cover vs. the banged-up Vikings?
Will the Minnesota Vikings be able to overcome their injuries once again and pick up a win and cover over the Baltimore Ravens when the two meet today at 1PM ET? Here’s our NFL Predictions for today.
ODDS
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Minnesota is favored at home, as the Vikings are getting odds of -5.5 points against the Ravens. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 39 points. Baltimore has won and covered in three of the last four in this series. The public betting in this one has Minnesota getting 56 percent of the wagers. Today’s games takes place from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota and will air live on CBS.
VIKINGS
The Vikings are coming off a big win at home over the Packers last week, 23-10, to improve to 4-2 on the season. Minnesota is 3-3 against the spread this season, including 3-1 ATS at home. The Vikings are led by their top-level defense. Minnesota is allowing just 17.2 points and 314 yards per game, including just 78.7 rushing yards per contest. Everson Griffen is leading the defense with 7 sacks. The offense is averaging 20.3 points and 369.8 yards per game.
Injuries have piled up quickly for the unit as Sam Bradford and Dalvin Cook have suffered knee injuries that have sidelined them. Cook is out for the year while Bradford is unlikely to play today. Stefon Diggs the team’s top receiver, is expected to miss another game due to a groin injury. Case Keenum hasn’t been too bad in place of Bradford, as he has thrown for 1,134 yards and five touchdowns with just one INT. Jerick McKinnon is the leading rusher outside of Cook with 354 yards and two scores. Adam Thielen has 38 catches for 488 yards.
RAVENS
The Ravens are coming off a 27-24 OT loss at home to the Chicago Bears. Baltimore is now 3-3 on the season and 3-3 against the spread. The Ravens are 2-1 ATS on the road. Baltimore hasn’t had a lot of success on offense, posting just 19 points and 302.7 yards per game. Joe Flacco has 1,003 passing yards with four touchdowns and eight interceptions while Alex Collins is the leading rusher with 335 yards. The Baltimore defense is allowing 20.7 points and 345.2 yards per game and surprisingly giving up 141.3 rushing yards per game. Terrell Suggs is leading the defense with 4.5 sacks.
NFL PREDICTIONS
Can the Vikings continue to find ways to win without a lot of talent on offense? The defense certainly has been able to carry them and they face another poor offense today in Baltimore. The Ravens are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games while the Vikings are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 at home. I think the Minnesota defense creates some turnovers and short fields for the offense, which will lead it to a cover.
NFL PREDICTIONS: MINNESOTA VIKINGS -5.5
