Simulation Picks
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Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks!
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Expert Picks
There are plenty of reasons to like the Vikings at home, but the weapons that the Saints bring in to every game is nearly unmatched in the league. New Orleans has the advantage at quarterback, too, obviously. While the Saints defense was suspect earlier this season, it has come together in a major way over the last few games and may be poised for its best performance yet. I'm getting by far the worst line of anyone here because I waited -- thought the home team would get some love on Sunday -- but I have New Orleans as a one-point favorite anyway. It's SNF, and we're on a roll, so let's make it happen.
The Saints have gone 17-5 ATS in their last 22 road games, but I respect the Vikings a little more at home in this spot despite the Saints being on a five-game win streak. Minnesota has gone 35-15-2 ATS in its previous 52 home games and is 48-21-3 ATS in Vikings coach Mike Zimmer's starts overall. The Vikings have won and covered their last three. Kirk Cousins is finally feeling at home now. He's comfortable. Vikings get the win.
The Vikings were -3 on the lookahead line, and nothing happened in Week 7 that should have caused for a big adjustment toward the Saints, who are playing a second straight road game against an elite defense. Minnesota's defense is excellent on third down and in the red zone, and having Everson Griffen back should be a huge boost in the trenches. The Saints are last in the league in covering No. 1 and No. 2 receivers, which isn't the best weakness to have against a team with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. The Vikings should be at least three-point favorites here, and probably more.
People keep raving about Kirk Cousins, but I don't see it. He's kind of erratic. New Orleans is playing really well, having won five straight, and the Saints have covered 17 of their past 22 road games. They lost on a fluke last year in Minnesota in the playoffs. This is a big revenge spot.
New Orleans has won five in a row and covered in its last four games, including two as an underdog. The Saints opened as a dog here but the line quickly moved to Even and may continue to move in that direction. Jump now on the Saints, who are winning 58 percent of my simulations -- a solid number for a team not giving up points.
Grabbing the Saints now as I expect this line to keep moving toward New Orleans. It's a big revenge spot, plus New Orleans is the better team right now given Minnesota's injuries. Back the Saints to continue their covering magic on the road.