Vikings at Saints 8/9/19 - NFL Betting Odds & Picks
Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints
NFL: 8:00 PM EST
Aug. 09, 2019
TV: NFL
Latest Odds : NO -3 Total 37.5
On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings will visit the Bayou and play the New Orleans Saints in a Week 1 NFL Preseason showdown. The Vikings are coming off a second place finish in the NFC North behind the Chicago Bears. Kirk Cousins returns as the starting quarterback but will play sparingly in this matchup. Sean Mannion is the leading candidate to play backup and will see plenty of action on Friday. Dalvin Cook returns as the top running back, while Adam Thielen is the top returning wide receiver, and Stefon Diggs will be the No. 2 receiver.
Defensively, the Vikings are one of the top 10 teams in the NFL. Returning stars Danielle Hunter, Linval Joseph, Everson Griffin, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes and Anthony Barr have played in the Pro Bowl. If the Vikings are to return to the postseason, those players and mix of returning backups, free agents and rookies will have to carry the load. The starting defense will give way to backup players after the first few series the Vikings have.
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New Orleans was the NFC’s top regular season team at 13-3 in 2018. Drew Brees returns to run the offense at quarterback with Alvin Kamara the top running back and Michael Thomas the star wide receiver. Terry Bridgewater will back up Brees at quarterback and see plenty of action in Week 1. Backup running back Latavius Murray will play on Friday as will Dwayne Washington. Taysom Hill gives the Saints an option at quarterback, tight end, wide out and running back and his talent will be utilized a great deal versus the Vikings.
The New Orleans defense is one of the league’s best. The top defensive player is Cameron Jordan who is equally talented against the run and pass. Marcus Davenport is expected be Jordan’s bookend on the opposite side of the line and will see action. Malcom Brown was signed to play defensive tackle and will get reps early. Others such as David Onyemata and Mario Edwards Jr. will compete for playing time. The linebackers are set and backups will play to secure a spot on the roster, while the secondary strength will be determined by how well Marcus Williams and Marhon Lattimore bounce back from poor seasons.
Recent Betting Trends:
Minnesota is 35-15-1 ATS in its last 51 played on fieldturf
The UNDER has cashed in each of the Vikings last 4 versus NFC opponents
New Orleans is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 at home
The UNDER has cashed in 7 of the Saints last 8 versus the NFC
Free Betting Pick: Minnesota Vikings +3
While preseason games are difficult to determine due to the large number of players that see action, both teams will have their defenses on display versus backup quarterbacks with a likely outcome being a low scoring game. The Vikings will focus on the running attack on offense as will the Saints. Minnesota wins this with its defense. Final Score Prediction, Minnesota Vikings win and cover ATS 21-16