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Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints Betting Preview

Santa is bringing an extra gift to football fans this year in the form of a Christmas day matinee between the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) and the New Orleans Saints (10-4). The Saints are hosting this one from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, with kickoff scheduled for 4:30 pm ET.

The Vikings may have seen their playoff hopes vanish over the last couple of weeks as they have lost back-to-back games against the Buccaneers (26-14) and the division-rival Bears (33-27). Trying to refocus, they will look to get back into the win column against a Saints team that has also experienced some recent struggles.

Like the Vikings, the Saints are also coming off back-to-back losses. They lost to the Eagles two weeks ago (24-21) and the Chiefs last week (32-29). In the loss against the Chiefs, quarterback Drew Brees returned from injury to throw for 234 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.

The Saints are the favorites in this one playing at home. They are -300 to win while the Vikings’ moneyline sits at +245. The spread features Minnesota +6.5 and the over/under for total points is 51.

By The Numbers

Offensively, both of these teams rank in the top half in scoring. The Saints rank 9th overall averaging 28.4 points per game. The Vikings rank 14th, averaging 25.7 points.

Defensively, the Saints’ advantage is a little more noticeable. They rank 6th in scoring defense, allowing opponents just 21.2 points per game. The Vikings fall to 25th overall, allowing an average of 27.7 points.

Vikings Look For Road Upset

Technically, the Vikings have not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but they will need to win out and get a lot of help from others. Despite being just 3-3 on the road this season, the Vikings will hope to pull out the road upset.

Leading the way under center for the Vikings is quarterback Kirk Cousins. He has thrown for 3,569 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

An advantage Cousins has is one of the best wide receiving tandems in the league. Rookie Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are about as good as it gets at wide receiver. Jefferson has caught 73 passes for 1,182 yards and seven touchdowns, while Thielen has 62 receptions for 771 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The best weapon on the Vikings, though, is running back Dalvin Cook. He has rushed for 1,484 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also has 42 receptions for 349 yards and another score.

New Orleans Look For Win In Fight For Playoff Positioning

At 10-4, the Saints are just one game off the pace for the best record in the NFC this year. With the number one seed being the only one getting a bye in the playoffs, they would love nothing more than to win out and overtake the Packers for that top spot.

They did get some reinforcements last week in the form of future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees. On the season, he has thrown for 2,430 yards, 21 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

While he came back, another player is now out for the Saints in star wide receiver Michael Thomas. On the year, Thomas has struggled with ankle injuries and found his way to the injured reserve. There is hope he will be good to go in the playoffs, but he is out for this one.

That leaves running back Alvin Kamara (80 receptions, 739 yards, five touchdowns) and Emmanuel Sanders (48 receptions, 580 yards, four touchdowns) as Brees’ best options to pass to.

On the ground, Kamara also leads all rushers with 777 yards and ten scores.

Saints Bounce Back To Win And Cover

Even though the Vikings are not mathematically out of it, last week’s loss to the Bears definitely demoralized the team, knowing they are essentially done. With that in mind, I don’t think you see a very amped up Vikings team in this one.

On the flip side, the Saints know they are a better team than what they have shown the last two weeks, and with the playoffs approaching, they will be out to bounce back into the win column. For my money, I am taking the Saints not only to win but to cover the 6.5 point spread as well.

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