Minnesota Vikings vs New Orleans Saints Predictions, Odds & Picks

• QB Kirk Cousins and his Vikings have a 6-8 record and are eliminated from the playoffs
• The Saints took a tough Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs by the score of 29-32
• They last played each other in the 2019/20 Wildcard round, Vikings won in OT, 26-20

Check out NFL predictions and odds for the Vikings vs Saints game!

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Vikings vs Saints Predictions and Picks

Brees looks healthy enough to take care of these curiously ineffective Vikings.

Pick:

Vikings +9 (-110)

How to Watch Vikings vs Saints

With a 6-8 record and now eliminated from the playoffs, QB Kirk Cousins and these Vikings get to act as spoilers and will most likely do their best to prevent the Saints from becoming the number one NFC playoff seed, but whether they have the defense to stop a healthy Drew Brees is the question.

The New Orleans Saints took a tough Week 15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs by the close score of 29-32, and now quarterback Drew Brees continues his return from the cracked ribs he suffered earlier in the season, and his Saints could use a victory here because it gets them closer to the number one NFC playoff seed, a key to dominating the postseason.

These two NFC teams have played each other 35 other times (including 5 postseason games), with the New Orleans Saints winning 12 of those games and the Minnesota Vikings winning 23 of the games.

Can the Vikings Young Secondary Stop Brees’ Passing Attack?

The Vikings have allowed teams to throw for an average of 250 yards per game, which puts them in the bottom third of the league in that category, not good against Drew Brees and these Saints.

The Vikings are starting two rookie cornerbacks – Cameron Dantzler and Jeff Gladney – so expect Brees to test the youngsters early with some leg-stretching deep routes.

Minnesota isn’t much better against the run – ranked 23rd in that category – so this could be a big test for this young secondary as they attempt to spoil the Saint’s chances for a top playoff seed.

Can the Saints be Effective Passing Without WR Michael Thomas?

Saints receiver Michael Thomas has been placed on IR for at least two more games due to an ongoing ankle issue in the hopes that the time away from the game will help him heal up enough to be able to play effectively in the postseason.

Thomas has been playing through the pain this season and has still been a solid contributor to the Saints’ offense, a key target for Brees who runs crisp routes and can get open and fight for yards after the catch due to his sizable 6’ 3”, 212-pound body.

Without Thomas, Brees must rely on Emmanuel Sanders to take over that number one role and help guide the younger receivers on the roster – Tre-Quan Smith and Juwan Johnson – as the team earns yet another playoff berth and looks to find another Lombardi Trophy for old man Brees.

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Vikings Key Player: (RB) Dalvin Cook

The Vikings have a top-5 rushing attack this season, and the main reason for that is an effective front line that blocks and opens holes up for RB Dalvin Cook, who is a once in a lifetime talent capable of running with and catching the football.

In 13 games this season (he missed two due to injury), Cook has posted 297 carries for 1,484 yards and a league-leading 15 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 5.0 yards per carry and a whopping 114 yards per game, plus he has 42 catches for 349 yards and another touchdown.

Cook is the key to this Vikings’ offense that averages almost 148 yards on the ground per game, and if they expect to beat the Saints in Week 16, Cook must play the best game of the season and carry the team on his strong back.

Saints Key Player: (WR) Emmanuel Sanders

With Saints WR Michael Thomas on IR with a bad ankle, the number one receiver in New Orleans becomes Emmanuel Sanders, and with that role comes certain responsibilities that he must take on if the team is expected to beat the Vikings in Week 16.

Sanders must take on some double teams and allow his teammates more room and space to get open, and with a 75% catching percentage (a career-high) he must continue to be a reliable pass catcher and earn tough yards after his catches.

This season, Sanders has posted 48 receptions off 64 targets for 580 total yards and 4 touchdowns, numbers that should increase even more these last two weeks of the season given his role as the number one receiver while Thomas continues to heal up his ankle for the postseason.

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