Saints vs. Vikings NFL Playoff Predictions: Will Minnesota cover Spread? 1/14/18
Will the Vikings cover the spread Sunday afternoon when they host the Saints? This NFL Divisional Round playoff matchup kicks off at 4:40 p.m. ET.
The Odds: Saints at Vikings, 4:40 p.m. ET, Sunday
According to oddsmakers, the Vikings are 5.5-point home favorites for Sunday’s game. The Saints opened as 3.5-point underdogs but the line climbed two full points. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 44.5 but was bet up to 47.
New Orleans is 12-5 on the year following its victory over Carolina last week in the Wild Card round. That said, the Saints are 3-4 on the road and just 3-4 against the spread away from the Superdome. They are 9-8 at the betting window overall.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is 13-3 on the year and 7-1 at home. From a betting standpoint, the Vikings are 11-5 against the spread and 6-2 at the betting window at home.
New Orleans Saints Injury Report
Brandon Coleman (neck) will not play for the Saints and neither will Andrus Peat (leg). Meanwhile, Tony McDaniel (undisclosed), David Parry (ankle) and Coby Fleener (concussion) are out for the season.
Minnesota Vikings Injury Report
The Vikings are relatively healthy. Terence Newman (Foot) is questionable but Sam Bradford (knee) is probable. Pat Elfein is in line to play, as he’s probable with a shoulder injury.
Our Prediction
National pundits praised Drew Brees for his performance last Sunday against the Panthers, and rightfully so. It was vintage Brees. What they overlooked is the fact that Brees had to be great because Carolina shut down New Orleans’ running game.
What if that happens again today in Minnesota? The Panthers dared Brees to beat them and he did. If the Vikings do that, they have Xavier Rhodes on Michael Thomas and Harrison Smith roaming the deep middle to take away Ted Ginn and Brees’ deep threats.
I don’t love laying 5.5 points on the Vikings against a talented Saints squad but I do love the matchup for Minnesota.
NFL Divisional Round Playoff Predictions: Minnesota Vikings -5.5
