The New Orleans Saints held on to win their home wild card game over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Now they must hit the road. The Saints will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Divisional Round.
New Orleans has long had Drew Brees under center and has now added an elite running game and a much better defense. All of that adds up to a formidable squad, but they will still be the underdogs in Minnesota. The Vikings have a ferocious defense and backup quarterback Case Keenum has done a great job stepping in under center.
Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford are both getting healthy but Keenum will be the guy under center for this huge playoff showdown.
This NFC Divisional Round matchup will go down Sunday, January 14, 2018, at 4:40 p.m. ET at U.S. Bank Stadium on FOX.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New Orleans Saints +4
Minnesota Vikings -4
Over/Under 45
Odds Analysis
The Saints are the underdogs by more than a field goal, which is an interesting line because New Orleans could lose via a late last-second kick and still cover. The betting public is split on this one as just a tick more than 50 percent is on the Vikings to cover this spread.
The scoring total gives a nod to the offenses. Both teams have sticky defenses but the oddsmakers believe each quarterback can get his team moving. The “over” is the far more popular choice thus far early in the week, with 80 percent of the money predicting more than 45 total points.
Injury Report
Andrus Peat- The Saints’ offensive guard reportedly broke his fibula against the Panthers in the wild card round, which ends his season and is a big blow to the offense. Senio Kelemete replaced him in the lineup and figures to be the guy against the Vikings. Minnesota has a talented defensive front so it’s a big spot for him.
Bradford- The player who began the season as the Vikings’ starting quarterback is back on the practice field. Bradford injured his knee early in the season and has been shelved for the majority of it. He is practicing with the team but has yet to be activated onto the active roster. The Vikings may not do so since Keenum and Bridgewater are healthy.
Terron Armstead - The Saints’ left tackle played against the Panthers despite a thigh injury, and as long as he didn’t suffer a setback in the game, should be ready to go for the tilt against the Vikings. He is a critical piece on Brees’ blind-side.
Player to Watch
Keenum -- Everyone has waited for the career backup to fall back down to earth this season, but it hasn’t happened. Keenum has thrown for 3,547 yards with 22 touchdowns and only seven interceptions on the year. He has a sparkling quarterback rating of 98.3 and has played so well that neither Bridgewater nor Bradford is in line to grab the starting job from him.
The Saints’ defense is much-improved this year, and it is highlighted by star pass-rusher Cam Jordan and rising standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore, a rookie. If either of them can turn in a big play at the expense of Keenum, than New Orleans will have a chance at the upset.
Keenum has two dynamic receivers in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, and they will aim to make his life easy in this matchup.
Free ATS Pick
The Vikings have been so steady all year and have everything needed to make the Super Bowl. However, the Saints are playing really well and have the superior quarterback in Brees. If Keenum is a little bit nervous in this big-time matchup, it could be costly.
Take the Saints to pull off the road upset to advance to the NFC Championship game. It will be a disappointing end for a Minnesota team stocked with talent, but quarterback play often wins out in the postseason.
NFL Odds: Saints 27, Vikings 23
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