Betting Picks

Saints at Vikings: SNF NFL Week 8 Betting Preview and Pick

Devout fans of the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings will remember what they were doing on Sunday, January 14, 2018, when the Vikings pulled off one of the most unlikely endings in not just NFL, but sports, history in stunning the visiting Saints 29-24 in the divisional round of the playoffs. That Case Keenum to Stefon Diggs 61-yard touchdown pass as time expired is simply known as the “Minneapolis Miracle“. Will that affect these Saints vs. Vikings odds leading up to Sunday night?

The Vikings would get thumped the next week in the NFC title game in Philadelphia, but that doesn’t make the play any less memorable. The Saints get a chance for some payback at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 8 of the NFL season. The game is a pick’em, and the Vikings will be our recommendation. The total is 53 in a game that could headline NFL news this week.

Why Minnesota will cover the Saints vs. Vikings odds

The Vikings looked like a very average bunch, especially defensively, the first four weeks as the team started 1-2-1, including a shocking 21-point home loss to the Buffalo Bills, who were 17-point underdogs. However, Minnesota brings a three-game winning streak into this one, each victory by a bigger margin. The defense hasn’t surrendered more than 21 points in any of those games.

The best receiver in the NFL this season isn’t Antonio Brown or Julio Jones right now, it’s Adam Thielen. The undrafted free agent out of Minnesota State has tied an NFL record by opening the season with seven consecutive 100-yard games. He leads the league in catches (67) and yards (822). The overall record for consecutive 100-yard games is eight by former Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson. The Saints surrender 294 passing yards per game, among the worst in the NFL.

New Orleans betting notes for Sunday

New Orleans won its fifth straight game Sunday in very unusual fashion, 24-23 at the Baltimore Ravens. The Saints were down 17-7 in the fourth quarter, but took a 24-17 lead on a Wil Lutz field goal with just over two minutes left. Baltimore scored a touchdown with 24 seconds to go, and it was assumed that Justin Tucker would make the point-after try because he’s the most accurate kicker in league history and had NEVER missed a PAT. He missed.

The Saints had been 2-121 all-time on the road when entering the fourth quarter down by double digits. Baltimore hadn’t allowed a second-half touchdown all season. Drew Brees made history twice in that one, becoming the fourth member of the 500-touchdown passing club, and the third quarterback ever to beat all 32 current teams.

Minnesota vs. New Orleans line movement

Early money on the Saints dropped these Saints vs. Vikings odds from an open of Vikings -2.5. The total has risen from an open of 52.

Minnesota vs. New Orleans matchup trends

• The Vikings have covered seven of the past 10 in this series.
• New Orleans has dropped five of its past six night games straight up.
• Minnesota is 11-1 ATS in its past 12 at home vs. teams with a winning road record.