The New Orleans Saints (-8) are considerable favorites as they prepare to battle the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. This early afternoon matchup kicks off at 1:05 p.m. ET and interested parties can view the action live on FOX.
Betting Preview: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
In this Sunday NFC game, New Orleans is getting picked as the favorite and the team’s currently giving up 8 points. The Vikings are also receiving +260 moneyline odds while the Saints are -330. If one team can find paydirt early it will create a solid live betting scenario. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 47 points.
This game’s line opened at -8. The total hasn’t moved since it opened at 47.
The Vikings are 8-8 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 0.2 units so far in 2019. The team has posted an Over-Under record of 9-7.
The Saints are up 3.1 units this season. The team is 11-5 ATS and nine of its games have gone over the total.
The Vikings are 10-6 straight up (SU) in 2019 while the Saints are 13-3 SU.
These two squads faced off last year with the final result being a 30-20 victory for New Orleans.
New Orleans enters this matchup on a two-game losing streak while Minnesota has won its last three in a row. The Vikes are hoping to bounce back after a 21-19 defeat to Chicago in Week 17. Sean Mannion completed 12 passes for only 126 yards and two interceptions. Mike Boone (148 yards on 17 rushes, one TD) led the running attack while Olabisi Johnson (three receptions, 34 yards) and Abdullah (three catches, 14 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
New Orleans just earned a 42-10 win over Carolina last week. The Saints defensive secondary allowed the Panthers to air it out for 299 yards. Christian McCaffrey was a bright spot in the loss, recording a rushing score to go along with 72 yards and a score on seven catches for Carolina. For New Orleans, Drew Brees completed 19-of-30 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Latavius Murray (61 rushing yards on 17 attempts) mounted the running game while Tre’Quan Smith (five receptions, 56 yards, one TD) and Michael Thomas (four catches, 37 yards) led the receiving attack in the win.
Minnesota’s run the ball on 50.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while New Orleans has a rush percentage of 41.1 percent. The Vikings have produced 133.3 rush yards/game and have 19 scores on the ground this year. The Saints are totaling 108.6 rushing yards per game and have 12 total rush TDs.
The Vikes offensive scheme has averaged 233.1 yards in the air overall and has 26 passing TDs so far. The Saints have put up 276.9 pass yards per outing and have 36 total pass scores.
Defensively, Minnesota has allowed 108 rush yards and 256.2 pass yards per game. The New Orleans D has allowed 262.6 yards per game to opposing passers and 91.3 yards per game to opposing runners. The Vikes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.29 to opposing QBs, while the Saints have allowed a 5.85 ANY/A.
Brees has been sharper than Mannion recently. The Saints man under center has an adjusted net yards per pass attempt 8.41 for the year and 8.85 over his past two games while Mannion’s ANY/A is 1.71.
Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints Betting Prediction
SU Winner: Saints, ATS Winner: Vikings, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The New Orleans defense has sacked opposing quarterbacks 51 times this season. Minnesota has registered 48 sacks.
- The New Orleans offense has lost two fumbles in 2019 while the Minnesota offense has lost 12.
- Each offense has produced 19 pass plays of 30+ yards.
- The Minnesota defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while New Orleans has given up 13 such plays.
- The Minnesota offense has created 15 rushing plays of 20+ yards, while New Orleans has created 10 such runs.
- The Vikings defense has allowed five rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Saints have given up eight such runs.
- The O/U for New Orleans’ previous outing was set at 45. The over cashed in that 42-10 triumph over Carolina.
- Over its last three matches, New Orleans is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, Minnesota is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- New Orleans has won seven of its last eight games SU, with a -2-point loss to San Francisco on December 8th accounting for its only defeat over that span.
- The O/U for Minnesota’s previous game was set at 39.5. The over cashed in the team’s 21-19 defeat to Chicago.
- As a team, Minnesota has rushed for 4.7 yards per attempt across its past three games and 5.5 over its last two.
- New Orleans has averaged 3.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.7 over its past two.
