NFL Week Nine predictions, odds and betting tips: Saints to lean on Kamara

Free American football tips, best bets and analysis for Week Nine of the 2021 NFL season.

Over 49.5 points in Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens6pm Sunday
1pt 9-10 Betfair

Alvin Kamara over 108.5 rushing and receiving yards 6pm Sunday
2pt 5-6 Betfair, Paddy Power

Boston Scott anytime touchdown scorer9.05pm Sunday
1pt 2-1 bet365

Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens

6pm Sunday

The Ravens and the Vikings will be bidding to put disappointing efforts behind them when they clash at M&T Bank Stadium.

Baltimore went into their bye week having been savaged by the Bengals 41-17 at home as their pass defence let them down again. No team is giving up more passing yards on average than the Ravens this year (296.1) and the offence has had to work hard to cover up for those deficiencies.

For the most part it has worked, with Baltimore sitting at 5-2 and ranking eighth in points scored per game. They should expect to put up points against a Vikings team who have seen the over land in all three of their previous away games this year.

Minnesota lost their best defensive player, Danielle Hunter, for the season in their Week Eight loss to Dallas, leaving them exposed. Like Baltimore, the Vikings might need to lean on their offence, one that is choked full of weapons and has averaged over 30 points per game on the road.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints

6pm Sunday

The Saints recorded a memorable win over the reigning Super Bowl champions Tampa Bay in Week Eight but paid a heavy price as they lost starting quarterback Jameis Winston to a season-ending knee injury. Trevor Siemian has been named the starter in Winston's place but that's unlikely to alter the Saints' offensive game plan too much with Alvin Kamara set to continue doing a lot of the heavy lifting.

Kamara has gone over 100 rushing and receiving yards combined in four of the last five games, while he posted ten 100-plus yard games last season and has a favourable matchup this week. The Atlanta Falcons have the second worst run defence in the league and were slashed by the Carolina Panthers last time out, giving up 203 rushing yards.

Los Angeles Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles

9.05pm Sunday

The Eagles ran backfield by committee in the absence of Miles Sanders in their thrashing of the Detroit Lions last week with Boston Scott, Kenneth Gainwell and Jordan Howard having at least 12 carries. However, Scott was the standout performer for the Eagles on the ground, rushing for 60 yards and two touchdowns, and he should see an increased workload this week as a result.

It's been well documented that the Chargers have the worst run defence in the NFL and they were again exposed last week by the New England Patriots. Pats running back Damien Harris got in the endzone early on and should have finished the day with two touchdowns, a penalty whipping away another score. Scott should be able to do something similar.

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