The Minnesota Vikings will kick off the new season looking to get back in the playoffs after missing out a year ago in their first season under high-priced veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins. For the New Orleans Saints, it’s Super Bowl or bust for a saints team that got completely robbed out of a berth in Super Bowl 53 because of one of the worst blown calls in NFL history.
Now, let’s find out which team is offering the best value against their betting odds when this Week 1 preseason tilt goes down live from the Mercedes Benz Superdome on Friday.
Vikings vs Saints 2019 NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds, Analysis & Prediction
- When: Friday August 2, 2019, 7:00 PM ET
- Where: Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- TV: None
- Radio: Minnesota / New Orleans
- Live Stream: NFL Network
- NFL Preseason Week 1 Odds: New Orleans -2.5 / Total: 37
Weather Forecast
- Partly Cloudy: 31°C/88°F
- Humidity: 69%
- Precipitation: 15%
- Wind: 6 mph SW
- Cloud Cover: 59%
- Type of Stadium: Indoor
Why Bet On Minnesota at +2.5?
The Vikings underachieved in a big way in going a modest 8-7-2 despite having some legitimate Super Bowl hopes after adding veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins prior to the 2018 campaign. The Vikings finished last season ranked an uninspiring 19th in scoring (22.5 ppg), but they still were mostly outstanding on defense in allowing just 21.3 points per contest (9th). Minnesota has question marks at running back, where gifted, but injury-prone Dalvin Cook just can’t seem to stay healthy.
Outside of that however, the Vikes have plenty of talent to get the job done. Wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stephon Diggs are both stars, if not superstars, not to mention the Vikings have a ton of gifted players on the defensive side of the ball, starting with defensive end Danielle Hunter and linebacker Anthony Barr.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 22.50
- Total Yards: 345.56
- Pass Yards: 252.25
- Rush Yards: 93.31
- Average Score Against: 21.31
- Total Yards: 309.75
- Pass Yards: 196.25
- Rush Yards: 113.50
Why Bet On New Orleans at -2.5?
The Saints will enter the 2019 season as one of the top favorites to win the conference crown and it’s easy to see why. Veteran quarterback Drew Brees is playing like a spry 21-year-old and the Saints have superstars in running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas. New Orleans finished the 2018 season ranked a stellar third in scoring (31.5 ppg) and a decent 14th in points allowed (22.1 ppg).
The Saints added to their offensive line in the draft and upgraded their defense, plus they added veteran running back Latavius Murray to replace the departed Mark Ingram. I also love New Orleans’ secondary which features gifted stars like Marshon Lattimore and Eli Apple.
Team Statistics
Offense:- Average Score For: 30.39
- Total Yards: 376.50
- Pass Yards: 253.72
- Rush Yards: 122.78
- Average Score Against: 21.83
- Total Yards: 345.16
- Pass Yards: 266.83
- Rush Yards: 78.33
Vikings vs Saints NFL Preseason Week 1 Betting Trends
- Minnesota are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games against New Orleans
- Minnesota are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games against New Orleans
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games
- New Orleans are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games
- New Orleans are 14-3 SU in their last 17 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 7 of New Orleans’ last 9 games
Expert Analysis and Prediction for Vikings vs Saints
While I’m not expecting Minnesota to be ‘better’ than New Orleans in 2019, I do like the Vikings to get the big road win in their preseason opener for a couple of reasons. First, I love Minnesota’s defense and I believe they’ll fare very well in this one despite playing a bunch of backups. More importantly, I love the way Vikings’ head coach Mike Zimmer takes the preseason super seriously (17-4) while New Orleans’ Sean Payton clearly places a modest premium on winning scrimmage games (26-28). Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings between these two teams, but the Vikings will get the outright win to cover the chalk in this one!
Pick: Minnesota +2.5
