Vikings Saints Betting – NFC Championship Game Rematch
Online betting players will surely remember last year’s thrilling NFC championship game feature New Orleans and Minnesota, and it was so good that the NFL decided to give it to us again toi kick off the 2010 campaign. The Saints will look to take advantage of a Vikings team that has some injuries on the offensive side of the ball, which gives New Orleans the betting edge here.
- What: NFL betting
- When: Thursday, September 9th, 8:30 PM ET
- Where: The Superdome, New Orleans, LA
- Pick: New Orleans -4.5
What’s On The Line
This is a rematch of last year’s NFC championship game, when Minnesota’s Brett Favre threw a pick late in regulation, robbing the Vikings of a chance to go for a field goal. The Saints would go on to win 31-28 in overtime, eventually winning the Super Bowl as well, and they’ll be aiming to show that they’re still the team in the NFC. The Vikings head into this game without some of their weapons, which could make it tough for them.
Offensive Matchups: Vikings Saints Betting
Brett Favre hasn’t looked sharp since joining the Vikings late in preseason, and many wonder if he can perform as he did last year, when he had the best season of his career. Favre will be without receiver Sidney Rice, who is out for the first half of the season, and Percy Harvin has been battling migranes all preseason. The Vikings did manage to sign Greg Camarillo and Javon Walker, but they’re no Rice and Harvin. There could be a lot of work for Adrian Peterson coming out of the backfield in this game.
The Saints’ first-team offense shredded San Diego in the third week of the preseason, and Drew Brees looked like he was in midseason form. Brees may be playing with a chip on his shoulder last year as he was passed over for the MVP and Offensive Player awards, and even though he went on to win the Super Bowl, along with the MVP of the game, it must sting a little for Brees. He has a healthy array of weapons as well, and it looks like the Saints are going to keep on putting up points.
Betting Edge: Saints
Defensive Matchups: Vikings Saints Betting
Minnesota’s defense may have to keep the Vikings in it until their offense picks it up. The front four gives the opposition nightmares, powered by the Williams brothers (Pat and Kevin), end end Jared Allen. The linebackers are solid, if not unspectacular, but they’re there to make plays when the linemen are double-teamed. Antonio Winfield was injured for six games last year, and it took him a while to get back up to game speed, but he came into camp healthy and will be the key in a Minnesota secondary that will be tested right off the bat in this game.
The Saints lived and died off turnovers last year, and the NFC title game epitomized that. They gave up 475 yards against the Vikings, but forced five turnovers, and they need to be a bit more consistent this year. Tackle Sedrick Ellis battled injuries all year and never got comfortable, and he’ll be crucial to the Saints’ NFL betting odds. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma is a tackling machine, but he needs help. Safety Darren Sharper was tied for the NFL lead in picks with nine, and touchdown returns with three, but he may be out of this game with a knee injury.
Betting Edge: Vikings
Notable Injuries: Vikings Saints Betting
Rice (hip) and cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) are out for this game, while center John Sullivan (calf) is a question mark for the Vikings.
Vilma (groin), offensive tackle Zach Strief (knee) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (head) are all questionable, but Vilma will likely be in the middle of the New Orleans defense.
Betting Edge: Draw
Outlook and Pick: Vikings Saints Betting
NFL betting odds have the Saints as a 4.5-point favorite at home in this contest, and the win over the Vikings in the NFC title game with only their second in 10 meetings with Minnesota. The Vikings’ best bet is to avoid a shootout with the Saints as they’re missing Rice, their big-play threat. If they can control the clock through Peterson, they have a shot, but the Saints are very tough to beat in the Superdome. Take the Saints to cover in your sports betting book.
Stan’s Pick: New Orleans Saints -4.5
