The New Orleans Saints are set to host the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas night to kick off Week 16 of the NFL season. This game is a rematch of some recent playoff games, and the Vikings have been the better team in those matchups.
Minnesota comes into this game with a record of just 6-8, and the Vikings are likely going to miss out on the playoffs this season. Injuries have played a role in this poor record, but so has some inconsistent play on both sides of the ball.
The Saints have lost two straight games, and they are now just 10-4 on the season. New Orleans can still earn the top overall seed in the NFC Playoffs, but it will likely need to win its last two games and get some help.
The New Orleans Saints are seven-point favorites over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night.
Betting sites for bettors in New Jersey:
Vikings Defense a Disappointment
The Vikings were expected to be a dominant defensive team this season, but that unit is now allowing 27.7 points per game and just gave up 33 points on Sunday to Chicago. The secondary has been giving up some big plays of late, and that’s not going to work against the Saints.
Running back Dalvin Cook has been the biggest star of the season for the Vikings, having run for 1,484 yards and 15 touchdowns. The team is in the top five in the NFL in rushing yards per game, but this team needs more balance on offense.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins has thrown for nearly 3,600 yards, but he has also thrown 13 interceptions. Rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson leads the team with 1,182 receiving yards, and he will need a big performance on Friday.
Saints Need Brees to Play Well
Quarterback Drew Brees is back under center for the Saints, but he did not look like himself in a Week 15 loss. New Orleans is averaging just 232 passing yards per game, and that just won’t get it done.
Star wide receiver Michael Thomas is out of the lineup, and that will force Alvin Kamara to have a bigger role. Kamara leads the team with 777 rushing yards and 739 receiving yards and continues to make big plays.
The defense in New Orleans has been great this season, giving up just 21.2 points per contest. That defense will force Cousins into some mistakes and turnovers on Friday night.
Betting options for Indiana:
New Orleans Gets Back on Track
The Saints are looking to build some momentum heading into the playoffs, and it will start in this game. New Orleans will be able to put up a ton of points against a Vikings defense that has really struggled.
Minnesota has a recent history of stunning the Saints in New Orleans, but it’s hard to see that happening in this game. The Vikings just don’t have the weapons to keep up in 2020.
Look for the Saints to come out sharp on Friday night as they cruise to a Week 16 victory. Bet the New Orleans Saints -7.0 over the Minnesota Vikings in this NFC matchup.