The Minnesota Vikings (6-8) have been a huge thorn in the side of the New Orleans Saints (10-4), having beaten them in two of the last three years in the playoffs – the Minnesota Miracle in the 2017 season and an overtime win in New Orleans last year. Below, we give you five prop bet predictions to consider for the Lions from the BetMGM game menu.
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 2:37 p.m. ET.
WR Justin Jefferson OVER 4.5 receptions (-140)
Jefferson is doing something thought to be impossible – breaking rookie receiver records held by Randy Moss. Jefferson has seven or more receptions in three of his last four games, so needing five doesn’t seem like a stretch. With Minnesota expected to be behind, the Vikings will likely have to throw often and Jefferson is becoming an elite receiver who QB Kirk Cousins has come to count on as much as WR Adam Thielen.
RB Dalvin Cook OVER 106.5 total yards (-135)
Few players mean as much to an offense as Cook does to Minnesota. He’s been battling all season for the NFL rushing title. He averages more than 100 yards rushing per game and has rushed for 96 or more yards in seven of his last eight games.
He has become a more valued receiver, catching four or more passes in four of his last five games – adding to his yardage ability. With backup Alexander Mattison in concussion protocol, Cook will be leaned on heavily and should touch the ball 25 times. If he does, 106.5 yards will be an easy get for him.
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WR Adam Thielen UNDER 60.5 receiving yards (-110)
Thielen has been bracketed a lot this season and when teams shadow their best corner with a receiver, it’s typically Thielen who is that guy. Although he’s having a big year in terms of touchdowns (13) the 60.5 yards makes sense because he has been under that yardage total in his last two games and six of the last eight.
He can make the big catch, but Jefferson has become the preferred downfield option. Thielen will be the first look in the red zone, but he may need six catches to top this point and the Saints will likely take him away on more plays than not.
RB Dalvin Cook OVER 21.5 receiving yards (-120)
For the same reason Cook should go over the total yardage of 106.5, he has been used more as a check-down receiver. The Saints play a lot of man defense and, with Cook’s speed, all it takes is one crease and he can break off a 20-yard gain in the open field. He has caught four or more passes in five of the last six and, if he catches four again this week against a risk-taking Saints defense, he should hit the Over without much trouble.
K Dan Bailey OVER to score 5.5 points (-115)
Bailey has been feeling the heat after a couple of brutal games against the Jaguars and Buccaneers, but he is still one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. Cousins gets more conservative in the red zone and doesn’t take too many risks when the team gets in scoring position. Bailey has scored seven or more points in three of his last four games and he only needs six for this game, which he should be able to get to.
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Vikings Wire:
- Minnesota Vikings Week 16 Wednesday injury report: Seven DNP, five limited
- Four Vikings that were snubbed from the 2021 Pro Bowl roster
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