Saints Disappoint As Big Home Favorites

With their postseason seed set after losing to Green Bay in Week 16, the Vikings got some extra rest due to a meaningless Week 17. The time off is good news for Dalvin Cook, who battled injuries at the end of the season. Adam Thielen and Alexander Mattison are also closer to full strength, meaning this could be the best version of the Vikings’ offense we’ve seen in some time.

At 13-3, the Saints are an unfortunate third seed. They’d have home-field advantage or at least a bye most seasons, but San Francisco’s narrow win on Sunday night left them on the outside looking in. The Saints will be looking for revenge in every way imaginable, as they were the victims of the Minneapolis Miracle two years ago and the famed pass interference no-call in last season’s NFC Championship.

If you’re looking to bet on Wild Card Weekend, here are some trends to inform your betting decisions.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+8) @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The Vikings covered in three of their final four games of the season. They’re 5-0 ATS after a loss. They’re 1-2 ATS as road underdogs. They have one cover in their last four playoff games.

The Saints led the league with 11 covers this season. They’re 7-4 ATS as favorites but 3-4 ATS as home favorites. They have three straight covers when favored against Minnesota. They’re 6-13 ATS as home favorites of eight or more since 2012.

TOTAL: 49.5

The total went over in seven of Minnesota’s 10 games outside of the NFC North. Thirteen of their last 20 games as road underdogs of eight or more went under.

The Saints were favored 11 times this season and went over in seven of them. Five of Sean Payton’s seven home playoff games went over. However, his two most recent home playoff games went under.

MINNESOTA MONEY LINE: +320
NEW ORLEANS MONEY LINE: -405

The Vikings were 8-2 in non-division games this season. They’re 4-1 after a loss but 1-3 as underdogs. The Minneapolis Miracle was the Vikings’ lone playoff win in their last five attempts. Since 1998, they’re 1-7 in road playoff games. They’ve lost 10 straight as road underdogs of eight or more and have won two of their last 20.

The Saints are 11-1 when both teams are on equal rest. They’ve beaten the Vikings five times in a row as favorites. Since the beginning of the 2012 season, the Saints are 13-6 as home favorites of eight or more.

PROPS

Kirk Cousins went over 250 passing yards twice since Week 9. He hasn’t thrown multiple touchdown passes since Week 12.

Dalvin Cook has been more productive on the road. He’s averaging 85.9 rushing yards (74.7 at home) and 43.4 receiving yards (28.7 at home).

Drew Brees is averaging 317.2 yards per playoff game. He has multiple touchdowns in 12 of 15 postseason games. He went under 300 yards in four of six meetings with Minnesota.

Alvin Kamara averaged 73 yards from scrimmage in three games against Minnesota. He scored four total touchdowns in his last two games of the season. However, he had only two touchdowns on the season before that.

Michael Thomas just set an NFL single-season record with 149 catches. Wide receivers averaged 14.4 receptions per game against Minnesota. Only the Buccaneers allowed more.

Get the latest NFL football odds and information–follow BetOnline.ag on Twitter!

BetOnline.ag on Instagram–Follow for the latest odds, stats and information!