Benjamin Watson can star for Saints in trip to Minnesota

New Orleans at Minnesota
Sky Sports Action, 12.20am Sunday night

Two goliaths of the NFC collide as Minnesota welcome the Saints to the US Bank Stadium in what looks set to be a close contest.

Both sides have improved after troubling starts but New Orleans are on a five-game winning streak and beginning to show the form that was expected of them.

Sean Payton’s offence has been putting up some big numbers lately, but journeyman tight end Benjamin Watson has been one of their unsung heroes.

The 37-year-old has grown in importance and in the last two weeks he has had ten receptions, just one fewer than star receiver Michael Thomas.

Minnesota boast one of the best rushing defences in the league but they have struggled to contain tight ends, giving up touchdowns to the position in three of their last five games.

Recommendation
B Watson to score a touchdown
1pt 14-5 Betfred

The lowdown
Venue US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
Surface Artificial
Weather Indoors
Vegas handicap Minnesota +1
Vegas points line 53

Team news
New Orleans
The Saints are in good shape with only back-up defensive lineman Mitchell Loewen (neck) ruled out.

Minnesota
Linebacker Anthony Barr (hamstring), running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring), safety Andrew Sendejo (groin) and offensive lineman Tom Compton (knee) have all been ruled out. Offensive tackle Riley Reiff (foot) is rated doubtful. Defensive tackle Linval Joseph (ankle) and cornerback Xavier Rhodes (ankle) are questionable.

Key stat
New Orleans have scored the second-most points per game in the league.

Unbeaten Rams should dominate

Green Bay at Los Angeles Rams
Sky Sports Action, 8.25pm Sunday

Los Angeles are the only team yet to taste defeat this season, and that looks unlikely to change against an unconvincing Packers side.

Green Bay have a 3-2-1 record, but two of their victories have come over the hapless Bills and injury-plagued 49ers, while their defeat to Detroit saw Mason Crosby become the first player in 17 years to miss four field goals.

The Packers have found it difficult to click on offence at times, and with receivers Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison coming back after injuries they face a tough task getting past the formidable Rams defence.

The Californians are more than capable of putting up a big score, but the overall points tally is unlikely to reach the high line.

Recommendation
Under 57 points
1pt 10-11 bet365, Betway, BoyleSports

The lowdown
Venue Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 27C
Vegas handicap LA Rams -9
Vegas points line 57

Team news
Green Bay
Wide receivers Randall Cobb and Geronimo Allison should return after hamstring injuries. Offensive tackle Jason Spriggs (ankle) is rated questionable.

LA Rams
Wide receiver Cooper Kupp (knee) and linebacker Trevon Young (back) are likely to miss the game.

Key stat
Todd Gurley has scored eight touchdowns in his last three matches.

Panthers offence is purring

Baltimore at Carolina
Sky Sports Action, 5pm Sunday

Carolina showed plenty of spirit when they scored three unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to beat Philadelphia last week, and they can build on that performance against the Ravens.

The Panthers have already had their fair share of close wins, with kicker Graham Gano scoring an outrageous 63-yard field goal to beat the Giants, and Ron Rivera’s side have playoff intentions.

While Baltimore boast the best-ranked defence in the league, they have struggled to put points on the board at times, highlighted by their 12-9 overtime loss to Cleveland.

This looks set to be a close encounter between two strong sides, but with home advantage and an offence who have already proven their bottle, Carolina look good to take the win and stay in contention in the NFC South.

Recommendation
Carolina
1pt 5-4 Hills

The lowdown
Venue Bank Of America Stadium, Charlotte
Surface Grass
Weather Sunny, 19C
Vegas handicap Baltimore -2
Vegas points line 43.5

Team news
Baltimore
The Ravens will be without cornerback Marlon Humphrey (thigh) and offensive lineman James Hurst (back). Guard Alex Lewis (neck) is doubtful. Guard Bradley Bozeman (calf) is likely to play.

Carolina
Wide receiver Torrey Smith (knee) and rookie linebacker Andre Smith (hamstring) have been ruled out. Safety Rashaan Gaulden (ankle) is doubtful. Quarterback Cam Newton (shoulder) will start.

Key stat
All of Carolina’s matches have been decided by ten or fewer points.

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