Minnesota Vikings vs. New Orleans Saints, 1/3/20 NFL Wildcard Predictions

Vikings vs. Saints Total Prediction

The first game in Sunday’s NFL Wildcard double-header pits the Vikings versus the Saints at 1:05 p.m. ET. With the total moving from 46.5 up to 50, can bettors count on a shootout?

Game Snapshot

145 Minnesota Vikings (+8) at 146 New Orleans Saints (-8); O/U 50

1:05 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 5, 2020

Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Public Betting Odds

According to our NFL Public Betting Chart page, the Saints are drawing 61% of the betting tickets ahead of Sunday’s game.

Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Spin

Speaking Friday on Good Morning Football, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero said the Vikings plan to cut Dalvin Cook (shoulder) "loose" in Sunday's Wild Card game against the Saints. Cook won't have any restrictions in his return from a two-game absence. Minnesota will also get back Alexander Mattison (ankle), who has been a full participant in each of the Vikings' two practices this week. A first-time Pro Bowler, Cook was excellent for the Vikings this year, though he limped to the finish line, averaging a lethargic 59.8 yards from scrimmage over his last four games.

New Orleans Saints Fantasy Spin

Drew Brees completed 19-of-30 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns in the Saints' Week 17 game against the Panthers. Brees departed midway through the third quarter with the Saints up 42-3 following a 45-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Taysom Hill (lol). With the 63.3 percent passing performance, Brees narrowly missed his own 2018 league record percentage of 74.4 percent. He finishes at 74.3. Whereas Brees was at a low ebb heading into last year's postseason, he enters the 2019-20 tournament absolutely sizzling. Depending on the Packers and 49ers' results, the Saints can wind up as anything from the No. 1 seed to No. 3.

Minnesota

The under is 19-7-1 in the Vikings’ last 27 games after accumulating less than 150 yards passing in their previous game.

New Orleans

The under is 12-5 in the Saints’ last 17 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.

NFL Wildcard Weekend Prediction

The over is 8-3 in the last 11 meetings between these two teams and is a perfect 5-0 in the Vikings’ last five road games. The over is also 6-2 in Minnesota’s last eight games overall and is 7-3 in the Vikings’ last 10 road games versus a team with a winning home record. On the other side, the over is 4-1 in the Saints’ last five Wildcard games, is 6-2 in their last eight playoff home games and is 5-2 in their last seven games overall.

NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND: VIKINGS/SAINTS OVER 50