Minnesota Vikings VS New Orleans Saints NFC Championship Pick & Preview

So, I’m taking the Saints at -3.5 despite listing -2 as the line in my Just Picks Newsletter. I didn’t read the number right in the book where I got the line from, and it was indeed -2, but the payout was -150 or something like that. Currently you can get the Saints -1.5 at -172 at 5 Dimes, but I’ve never picked low payout lines like that, and -3.5 is a a normal payout at most books right now, so I’ll list that.

The Saints played their best football against their best opponents all season long. The Saints didn’t only win, but dominated the Eagles, Jets, Giants, and Eagles. They also beat a good Atlanta team twice, keeping the Falcons out of the playoffs. Oh, and while they did tumble a little bit down the final stretch of the regular season, (3 straight losses, 2 when they were playing their starters) I give them the benefit of the doubt after their dismantling of an Arizona team playing good football.

Minnesota has had a hell of a year, but I think the Saints are actually better on both sides of the ball. The secondary of the Saints has repeatedly made big plays that change the course of games, while Minnesota’s secondary relies heavily on that pass rush. New Orleans has one hell of an offensive line, and Drew Brees moves in the pocket and can release the ball at any moment of his escape – I think that neutralizes the Vikings elite pass rush a little bit, and I see that being the difference in the game. I’d love to see Brett get another crack at a Super Bowl, but unfortunately I don’t see it going that way.

Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints (-3.5)