The 2019 NFL preseason is set to kick off this week, with each team getting the chance to get on the field. One of the best games of the week will take place on Friday night and feature the New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings. This is a rematch of a memorable 2017 playoff game that was won by the Vikings, and the Saints will be out for some revenge.
New Orleans fell short of reaching the Super Bowl again last season, but they remain a Super Bowl favorite heading into the 2019 season. The Saints are always tough to beat at home, and their fans will be rocking in this game. Minnesota failed to reach the playoffs in 2018, but they have the talent to get the job done this season. The Vikings have a veteran team that is full of proven winners. The New Orleans Saints are -2.5 point favorites in the preseason opener.
Vikings Need D to Return in 2019
The Minnesota Vikings were the top-rated defense in the NFL in 2017, but that wasn’t the case a season ago. Minnesota gave up over 21 points per game in 2018, and their defense is in need of a huge bounce-back year. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer has been very critical of his defense throughout the beginning of training camp, and that could be a recipe for disaster against a high-powered Saints offense.
Kirk Cousins was solid in his first season in a Vikings uniform, but Minnesota needs the quarterback to take his game to the next level. The Vikings averaged just 22.5 points per game in 2018 and just over 250 passing yards per contest. Minnesota is going to have to show some improvements on the offensive side of the ball to come back and win the NFC North.
Saints Will Feature Explosive Offense
The New Orleans Saints averaged 31.5 points per game during the 2018 season, and they might be even better this season. Drew Brees is back at the quarterback position, and he has a ton of weapons around him. Michael Thomas just signed an extension to make him the highest-paid receiver in football, and Alvin Kamara is a stud running back. Most of these players will be on the sidelines for this game, but the Saints will still be trying to light up the scoreboard.
One of the reasons that the Saints were so good in 2018 is that their defense took a huge step forward. The Saints still gave up more than 22 points per game, but their defense was on the field a ton. Defensive end Cameron Jordan tallied 12 sacks a season ago, and the Saints will put a ton of pressure on opponents again this season.
New Orleans Wins Preseason Opener
Even though this game doesn’t count in the standings, the fans in New Orleans can’t wait to see their team back on the field. The Saints enter 2019 as a Super Bowl favorite, and they will want to get their season off on the right foot. Minnesota still has some question marks to answer, and they will use the preseason to try and answer them. Bet the New Orleans Saints -2.5 over the Minnesota Vikings.
