Identifying edges in the NFL betting market can be tough, which is why OddsShopper by Awesemo.com is here to help. This article focuses on my favorite NFL prop bet from among the available Vikings vs Saints picks, and which sportsbook is offering the best odds for it.
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Week 16 Monday Night Football Prop Bet | Vikings vs. Saints
NFL Prop Bet: Dalvin Cook OVER 80.5 Rushing Yards
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Merry Christmas, folks! We’ve got some Friday afternoon football to unwrap with the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) heading to the Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints (10-4). This game kicks off Week 16 for almost all year-long fantasy football championships, so it already carries a lot of intrigue from that perspective. The Saints can also clinch the NFC South with a win, as they look to right the ship heading into the playoffs.
The same cannot be said for the Vikings, who have little-to-nothing to play for. ESPN FPI pegs the Vikings with only a 4% chance to make the playoffs. They need significant help coming off their Week 15 loss to the Bears, so it might stand to reason that Mike Zimmer will alleviate the normally heavy workload for star running back Dalvin Cook. After all, he’s a player who has fought injuries in the past, so why push him to the limit for an eighth consecutive game in a lost season?
Except I just don’t see that narrative coming true, which makes the over on 80.5 rushing yards my favorite NFL player prop to target from this game. Cook could be the only healthy Vikings back who has handled any touches whatsoever this season. Normal number two Alexander Mattison remains out with a concussion, C.J. Ham is questionable and Mike Boone has five carries all year. Even if the Vikings wanted to limit Cook, I don’t think they have that option.
Secondly, while this is matchup might be perceived as difficult – the Saints have given up the fourth-fewest rushing yards in the league – Cook has torn up similar spots. Two weeks ago in Tampa Bay, Cook wasn’t affected by negative game script or the Bucs’ top-ranked rushing defense, posting 102 yards on 24 carries. He also has three consecutive outings of 100 yards or more, while averaging 26 totes. Simply put, Cook is too good and receiving too substantial a workload to fail right now, making this an easy one unit bet for me on the over as the top Vikings vs Saints pick on the board.
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