Kick-off: 1430, 02/10/2022
Stadium: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
TV: Sky Sports
The first of this year’s three NFL London games will see New Orleans take on Minnesota at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and we rate the Vikings a percentage pick.
They have done everything expected of them to reach 2-1 so far, whereas the 1-2 Saints look like a team in transition at this stage.
Our first New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings prediction is for the designated away team to win by more than 2.5 points at 20/23.
New Orleans Saints Odds
The Saints predictably suffered a drop-off last season following the retirement of franchise legend Drew Brees and this term have to cope with the exit of long-time head coach Sean Payton.
New Orleans kicked off their campaign by shading Atlanta 27-26 on the road but quarterback Jameis Winston picked up a back injury in that game and has struggled in two subsequent losses.
Going down 20-10 to Tampa Bay was no disgrace but a 22-14 defeat at Carolina was disappointing, with Winston throwing two more interceptions against the Panthers and getting lucky with some other shaky efforts.
Andy Dalton is a more than capable back-up if called up but it is hard to side with the Saints at present, even if star running back Alvin Kamara and top wide receiver Michael Thomas are back on track.
Looking at the New Orleans Saints vs Minnesota Vikings odds, we’re going with the latter team to prevail and under 45.5 total points at 2/1.
Minnesota Vikings Odds
Former Washington and LA Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell has made a solid start as Vikings head coach after Mike Zimmer’s eight-year reign kind of fizzled out.
Minnesota found high-flying Philadelphia too strong when hammered 24-7 but beat Green Bay and Detroit at US Bank Stadium either side of that tough road trip.
Kirk Cousins threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive 23-7 triumph over the Packers.
Things looked dodgy against the Lions as Minnesota trailed 14-0 and 24-14, but a fourth-quarter rally saw them prevail 28-24, hitting the front with 45 seconds on the clock.
Wide receiver Justin Jefferson continues to suggest he can develop into an elite-level performer at that position, while running back Dalvin Cook has been a Pro Bowl selection for the past three years.
The Vikings may not be among the favourites for Super Bowl glory, but they are playing like a decent top-10 outfit.
Let’s add 9/2 for Minnesota to oblige by 7-12 points to our NFL London predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Carolina 22-14 NEW ORLEANS
MINNESOTA 28-24 Detroit
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