Vikings vs. Falcons: NFL Week 9 Odds & Picks (2023)
Gear up for another weekend of NFL action! Make sure to check in with BettingPros throughout the year for top picks and predictions for each and every NFL game. Our writers dive into their favorite picks and predictions for every remaining game on this weekend’s NFL slate. And let’s take a closer look at Vikings vs. Falcons.
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NFL Odds, Picks & Predictions: Vikings vs. Falcons
Vikings vs. Falcons
Taylor Heinicke vs. Jaren Hall: the QB matchup of the century. I jumped on Minnesota +5 earlier in the week and still like the Vikings above a field goal for a couple of reasons. First off, we just saw the Atlanta defense give up four passing touchdowns to Will Levis in his NFL debut after there was QB uncertainty heading into the week. While the BYU product doesn't offer the same pedigree as Levis, the element of surprise favors Minnesota here. And while Heinicke raises the upside of Atlanta's offense, he also throws way more variance into the equation with the ability to throw his team out of a game. Last year, Heinicke committed the ninth-most turnover-worthy plays in just nine starts for Washington. Heinicke gets even more erratic against the blitz, and Minnesota happens to be the blitz-heaviest team in the league. Plus, Atlanta’s surrendered the sixth-most sacks in the league. More importantly against Atlanta is that Minnesota has been respectable against the run, ranking seventh in run defense EPA. That's critical against a Falcons offense that ranks fifth in rush attempts but 25th in rushing EPA. It feels like every Atlanta home game ends in a straight-up loss, or a last-second win by a field goal. I'll take my chances with a complete unknown in Hall on the road.
Pick: Vikings +3.5
-Matt Barbato
What is Betting Against the Spread?
Betting "against the spread" refers to the act of choosing the winning team based on a numeric handicap placed on the team that oddsmakers believe is superior, rather than picking the outright winner. For example, if the Rams face the Bengals, and oddsmakers set the spread at Rams -3.5, you would need Los Angeles to win by 4 or more points in order to cash your Rams bet.
What is an Over/Under Bet?
Over/Under is a wager based on how many points you think will be scored in a specific game. Oddsmakers set the total, and bettors decide whether the final score will be higher or lower than that number. If an Over/Under is set at 44.5 points and you bet Over, you will need the combined score of both teams to be 45 points or higher to win your bet.
What is a Moneyline Bet?
A moneyline bet involves choosing which team you believe will win a specific matchup. The moneyline favorite carries a minus designation, like -130. This means that you need to wager $130 to earn a $100 profit. Conversely, the underdog carries a plus designation, like +110. This means that you win $110 in profit on a $100 bet.
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