The New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Viking kickoff a doubleheader of NFL action on Monday night in a 7:10 p.m. start at US Bank Stadium with NBC covering the national broadcast.
New Orleans at Minnesota Game Overview
The Saints have missed the playoffs the past three seasons with an identical 7-9 straight-up record in each campaign, but optimism is running high that can turn things around starting with a big road win this Monday night. New Orleans went 10-5-1 against the spread last season boosted by a highly profitable 6-1-1 road record ATS. It ended last season on a strong note for bettors at 4-2 ATS with the total going OVER in four of the six games.
As long as Drew Brees is under center, you know that the Saints are going to move the ball through the air. He led the NFL in passing last season with 5,208 total yards to go along with his 37 passing touchdowns. The problem with this offense has been its ability to consistently move the ball on the ground, but New Orleans is hoping that offseason addition Adrian Peterson has enough left in the tank to add some much needed balance to this side of the ball. The Saints will also need a better effort from a defense that was 31st in the league in points allowed (28.4).
Minnesota won the NFC North in 2015 with 11 SU victories, but it took a step backwards last season at 8-8 SU (9-7 ATS). The Vikings were still a good bet at home at 6-2 ATS and they did cover in six of the 10 games where they closed as favorites. However, a very shaky 4-7 run ATS in their last 11 games might make bettors a bit nervous about taking the bait on the home favorite this Monday night. The total went OVER in three of Minnesota’s final four games in 2016.
A devastating injury before the start of last season still has Teddy Bridgewater sidelined for at least the first six games this year so it will once again be up to quarterback Sam Bradford to lead Minnesota’s offense. He did a decent job last season with 3,877 passing yards and 20 touchdown throws, but the offense was ranked 23rd in the NFL in scoring with 20.4 points per game and 28th in total yards. Former Florida State running back Dalvin Cook was selected in the first round of the draft to help boost the ground game as the heir apparent to Peterson’s illustrious run in Minnesota.
New Orleans at Minnesota Game Betting Trends
- The Saints have a 9-1 record ATS in their last 10 road games, but they are 1-4 ATS in their last five Monday night games. The total has gone OVER in five of their last six season openers.
- The Vikings are 22-7 ATS in their last 29 games at home, but they failed to cover in eight of their last nine games played on Monday night. The total has stayed in 10 of their last 14 games against the NFC.
- Head-to-head in this conference tilt, the favorite is 5-2 in the last seven meetings and the total has gone OVER or ended as a PUSH in the last five meetings in Minnesota.
