Minnesota Vikings: 3 Bold predictions in Week 16 vs. Saints
Minnesota Vikings bold predictions against the Saints on Christmas Day.
After a deflating loss at home in the final home game of the 2020 NFL season last week, the Minnesota Vikings are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in with just a few games left to play.
Although Minnesota is not mathematically eliminated from postseason contention, its chances aren’t looking good with two weeks remaining. To make things even tougher, the Vikings will battle one of the top teams in the NFC in Week 16 on Christmas Day.
Minnesota will hit the road to face off against the New Orleans Saints on Friday afternoon in a Christmas Day contest aired on FOX. The game will be the lone contest in the NFL on Dec. 25, with three games to follow on Saturday and the rest of the teams taking the field on Sunday.
The Vikings come into the game at 6-8 overall and have lost two straight games, most recently falling at home to the Chicago Bears 33-27 in Week 15 last Sunday.
In the loss, Minnesota fell behind Chicago early on and couldn’t catch up late to fall in the final regular-season home contest and further back in the NFC playoff picture.
With both Minnesota and New Orleans looking to avoid a three-game losing streak on Christmas Day, here are some bold predictions that will take place for the Vikings in Week 16.
3. Saints defense will give Vikings troubles
Coming into Week 16 and throughout the course of the 2020 season, New Orleans has featured one of the best defensive units and trying to hold opposing offenses in check on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
On Friday in Week 16 contest between the Saints and Vikings, New Orleans’ defense will once again be able to step up and will give Minnesota troubles throughout the game in New Orleans.
Through 15 weeks, the Saints defense ranks third in the NFL, allowing opposing offenses to average 21.2 points per game and a total of 323.9 yards per contest.
Specifically, when it comes to New Orleans’ run defense, the Saints have give up a total of 1,338 yards on the ground (fourth-least in NFL) on 353 rush attempts (seventh-least in NFL). Opposing offenses have also managed to rush for just eight touchdowns, which is the lowest total in the league.
On the other side of the field, the Vikings rely heavily on the run and have been led by running back Dalvin Cook and company all season long. Minnesota comes in with the fifth-ranked rushing offense, tallying 420 carries (sixth-most in NFL) for 2,068 yards (fifth-most in NFL) and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
For New Orleans, one of its strength comes with defending the run while Minnesota thrives with its ability to run the ball on the offensive side. When it comes to who has the advantage in that battle in Week 16 on Christmas Day, the Saints defense might give the Vikings all they can handle in the NFC showdown.