The last time the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings played each other, the ending was out of a storybook. They'll meet again in a terrific Sunday night matchup in Week 8.
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
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
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Opening 22 Oct 5:33pm | NO | -1.5 -110 | O +53 -105 |
Closing 28 Oct 5:53pm | NO | -2.5 -115 | O +54.5 -115 |
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.
Weather

condition | dome |
Injuries
Vonn Bell (S)
Josh Hill (TE)
Keith Kirkwood (WR)
Ryan Ramczyk (T)
Benjamin Watson (TE)
Andrus Peat (T)
Sheldon Rankins (DT)
Simmie Cobbs Jr. (WR)
Alex Okafor (DE)
Will Holden (G)
Holton Hill (CB)
C.J. Ham (FB)
Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Eric Kendricks (LB)
Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Brian O'Neill (T)
Chad Beebe (WR)
Ben Gedeon (LB)
Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vonn Bell (S) | day-to-day | Elbow - 20 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Bell exited Sunday's game due to a left elbow injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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Josh Hill (TE) | day-to-day | Concussion - 20 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Hill left Sunday's game due to a concussion and will not return. |
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Keith Kirkwood (WR) | Out Sun | Calf - 16 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Kirkwood has a calf injury and will not play against the Rams in the NFC championship game. |
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Ryan Ramczyk (T) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 16 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Ramczyk is dealing with a shoulder injury but is projected to be available against the Rams in the NFC championship game. |
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Benjamin Watson (TE) | Out Sun | Appendix - 16 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Watson is ailing from appendicitis and will not be able to suit up for the NFC championship game against the Rams. |
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Andrus Peat (T) | Prob Sun | Hand - 14 / 01 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Peat is expected to line up against the Rams in the NFC championship game despite a broken hand. |
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Sheldon Rankins (DT) | I-R | Achilles - 13 / 01 / 19 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Rankins has been placed on the injured reserve list after undergoing surgery to fix a torn left Achilles tendon. |
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Simmie Cobbs Jr. (WR) | I-R | Knee - 10 / 01 / 19 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Cobbs Jr. has landed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury. |
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Alex Okafor (DE) | Prob Sun | Knee - 02 / 01 / 19 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Okafor is nursing a hyperextended knee but it is anticipated that he will play against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round. |
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Will Holden (G) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 22 / 12 / 18 | 0-4 | 2-2 | + - |
Holden has a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will play against the Rams on Sunday. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Holton Hill (CB) | day-to-day | Head - 30 / 12 / 18 | 1-0 | 0-1 | + - |
Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return. |
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C.J. Ham (FB) | Out Sun | Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 | 2-0 | 1-1 | + - |
Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears. |
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Sheldon Richardson (DT) | Ques Sun | Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air. |
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Eric Kendricks (LB) | Prob Mon | Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 | 2-2 | 1-3 | + - |
Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks. |
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Brandon Zylstra (WR) | Ques Sun | Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday. |
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Mackensie Alexander (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 | 3-2 | 1-4 | + - |
Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots. |
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Brian O'Neill (T) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots. |
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Chad Beebe (WR) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions. |
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Ben Gedeon (LB) | Ques Sun | Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots. |
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Stephen Weatherly (DE) | Prob Sun | Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 | 3-3 | 2-4 | + - |
Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers. |
Saints vs. Vikings Prediction
-
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
24 -
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
27
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 22 Oct 5:33pm NO -1.5 -110 O +53 -105 Closing 28 Oct 5:53pm NO -2.5 -115 O +54.5 -115 -
Weather
condition dome -
Injuries
Vonn Bell (S)
day-to-day Elbow - 20 / 01 / 19Josh Hill (TE)
day-to-day Concussion - 20 / 01 / 19Keith Kirkwood (WR)
Out Sun Calf - 16 / 01 / 19Ryan Ramczyk (T)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 16 / 01 / 19Benjamin Watson (TE)
Out Sun Appendix - 16 / 01 / 19Andrus Peat (T)
Prob Sun Hand - 14 / 01 / 19Sheldon Rankins (DT)
I-R Achilles - 13 / 01 / 19Simmie Cobbs Jr. (WR)
I-R Knee - 10 / 01 / 19Alex Okafor (DE)
Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 01 / 19Will Holden (G)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 22 / 12 / 18Holton Hill (CB)
day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18C.J. Ham (FB)
Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18Sheldon Richardson (DT)
Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18Eric Kendricks (LB)
Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18Brandon Zylstra (WR)
Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18Mackensie Alexander (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18Brian O'Neill (T)
Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18Chad Beebe (WR)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18Ben Gedeon (LB)
Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18Stephen Weatherly (DE)
Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Vonn Bell (S) day-to-day Elbow - 20 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Bell exited Sunday's game due to a left elbow injury and it is unknown if he will return.
Josh Hill (TE) day-to-day Concussion - 20 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Hill left Sunday's game due to a concussion and will not return.
Keith Kirkwood (WR) Out Sun Calf - 16 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Kirkwood has a calf injury and will not play against the Rams in the NFC championship game.
Ryan Ramczyk (T) Prob Sun Shoulder - 16 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Ramczyk is dealing with a shoulder injury but is projected to be available against the Rams in the NFC championship game.
Benjamin Watson (TE) Out Sun Appendix - 16 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Watson is ailing from appendicitis and will not be able to suit up for the NFC championship game against the Rams.
Andrus Peat (T) Prob Sun Hand - 14 / 01 / 19 0-1 0-1 + - Peat is expected to line up against the Rams in the NFC championship game despite a broken hand.
Sheldon Rankins (DT) I-R Achilles - 13 / 01 / 19 0-2 1-1 + - Rankins has been placed on the injured reserve list after undergoing surgery to fix a torn left Achilles tendon.
Simmie Cobbs Jr. (WR) I-R Knee - 10 / 01 / 19 0-2 1-1 + - Cobbs Jr. has landed on the injured reserve list due to a knee injury.
Alex Okafor (DE) Prob Sun Knee - 02 / 01 / 19 0-2 1-1 + - Okafor is nursing a hyperextended knee but it is anticipated that he will play against the Eagles in the NFC divisional round.
Will Holden (G) Ques Sun Shoulder - 22 / 12 / 18 0-4 2-2 + - Holden has a shoulder injury and it is unknown if he will play against the Rams on Sunday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Holton Hill (CB) day-to-day Head - 30 / 12 / 18 1-0 0-1 + - Hill departed Sunday's game due to a head injury and it is unknown if he will return.
C.J. Ham (FB) Out Sun Elbow - 23 / 12 / 18 2-0 1-1 + - Ham was lifted from the last game with an elbow injury and will not participate in Sunday's matchup with the Bears.
Sheldon Richardson (DT) Ques Sun Hip - 10 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Richardson was lifted from the previous game due to a hip injury and his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Dolphins is up in the air.
Eric Kendricks (LB) Prob Mon Ribs - 06 / 12 / 18 2-2 1-3 + - Kendricks has injured ribs but it is likely he will play Monday against the Seahawks.
Brandon Zylstra (WR) Ques Sun Undisclosed - 30 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Zylstra has an undefined injury and it is unknown if he will suit up against the Patriots on Sunday.
Mackensie Alexander (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 29 / 11 / 18 3-2 1-4 + - Alexander hurt his knee and it is uncertain if he will appear in Sunday's game against the Patriots.
Brian O'Neill (T) Ques Sun Concussion - 26 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - O'Neill was lifted from the last game due to a concussion and it is unknown if he will pass the league-mandated protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Patriots.
Chad Beebe (WR) Ques Sun Hamstring - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Beebe missed his fourth-straight game due to a hamstring injury and it is unknown if he will return to the lineup Sunday against the Lions.
Ben Gedeon (LB) Ques Sun Concussion - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Gedeon was absent from the lineup during the previous game due to a concussion and it is undetermined if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots.
Stephen Weatherly (DE) Prob Sun Shoulder - 21 / 11 / 18 3-3 2-4 + - Weatherly is dealing with a shoulder injury but is likely to play Sunday against the Packers.