Think of the most iconic game-winning playoff moments in sports history. Depends on a person’s age, but Kirk Gibson’s home run in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series comes to mind. So does Michael Jordan’s last shot as a member of the Chicago Bulls as he beat the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals to win the Bulls’ sixth and last title of the MJ era. In the NHL, there’s Bobby Orr’s goal to win the 1970 Stanley Cup for the Boston Bruins – to this day, Orr flying through the air immediately after is most famous hockey photo ever.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Those moments led to championships. What happened in last season’s Divisional Round playoff game between the Saints and Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium didn’t, but it was still incredible. Honestly, our words won’t do it justice but it coined a term: “Minneapolis Miracle” so go watch that on YouTube. It was the first walk-off touchdown in NFL playoff history.

Alas, the Vikings the next week were blown out in the NFC title game in Philadelphia. The quarterback behind the miracle, Case Keenum, was cast aside this offseason and is now in Denver. Very possible the Vikings and Saints meet again this January as both remain very good teams and are leading their respective divisions. Minnesota also beat visiting New Orleans to open the 2017 regular season, 29-19. The Vikings’ starting QB from that day, Sam Bradford, isn’t with the team any longer, either.

The favorite is 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings.

New Orleans Saints

No team had a more impressive win Sunday than New Orleans, which won 24-23 at a very good Baltimore side. Drew Brees threw two touchdown passes, joining Peyton Manning, Brett Favre and Tom Brady in the 500-TD club. The Saints were down 17-7 entering the fourth. They got a bit lucky in that Ravens kicker Justin Turner, one of the best ever, missed the tying extra point in the final seconds. It was the first missed PAT of his career. He was the only kicker in the league yet to miss one since the ball was moved back on PATs in 2015. The Saints remain alone in first in the NFC South.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota moved into sole possession of first in the NFC North with its third straight win Sunday, 37-17 at the Jets. Adam Thielen continued his amazing start to the season with nine catches for 110 yards and a score. He’s the first player in the Super Bowl era to have at least 100 yards receiving in his team’s first seven games of a season and only the fifth player to do it seven consecutive overall at any point. Kirk Cousins threw for two scores and Latavius Murray rushed for two. Murray has really blown up the past two weeks with Dalvin Cook out injured. Cornerback Xavier Rhodes, one of the league’s best, left with an ankle sprain and could miss some time. That would be a major loss.

Saints vs. Vikings Prediction