Falcons vs. Vikings Total Prediction
One of the more intriguing Week 1 matchups in the NFL will take place in Minnesota on Sunday when the Vikings host the Falcons at 1:00 p.m. ET. What’s the best play for bettors when it comes to the total?
Game Snapshot
453 Atlanta Falcons (+4) at 454 Minnesota Vikings (-4); O/U 47.5
1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, September 8, 2019
U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Public Betting Trends
According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Steelers are receiving 53% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.
Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Spin
The Falcons officially attributed Julio Jones‘ limited Thursday practice to “rest.” That clears up very little. In a strange post-practice presser, Jones said he might not suit up for Sunday’s opener before then just as quickly saying he “planned” to play. He was talking within the context of his contract situation, but Jones also seemed to make vague allusions to a physical issue. It’s quite possible those words were just misconstrued in a bizarre presser. Whatever is going on between Jones and the Falcons is ultimately unlikely to hold him out in Minnesota but obviously his status cannot be taken for granted right now.
Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Spin
Stefon Diggs (hamstring) returned to Vikings practice on Thursday. He was officially “limited,” but he is now on track to suit up against the Falcons. Diggs has a history of underperforming when he’s on the injury report, but it’s quite possible Wednesday’s absence was purely precautionary. We should have a good feel for his status by Friday afternoon.
NFL Betting Trends
Atlanta
The over is 5-1 in the Falcons’ last six games played in the month of September.
Minnesota
The under is 5-1 in the Vikings’ last six games overall and is 4-1 in their last five home contests.
Prediction
These two teams have a lot of offensive firepower, which may lead bettors to flock to the over. That said, even though Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Matt Ryan, Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs will grace the field this Sunday in Minnesota, I like the under because of the two head coaches in this matchup. Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer are both defensive-minded head coaches that spent time both at the end of last season and during the offseason about pounding the football. Defensive head coaches have a habit of leaning on their offensive play-callers to run the football in efforts to protect their defenses. I see this game being relatively low scoring as Devonta Freeman of Atlanta and Dalvin Cook of Minnesota become the focal point.
NFL Week 1 Prediction: Falcons/Vikings UNDER 47.5