We have a special Friday afternoon football game this week – this takes place on Christmas Day instead of Thursday Night Football – as the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) will take on the New Orleans Saints (10-4) in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

This is a massive game for both teams as the Saints are looking to clinch the NFC South and the Vikings are fighting for their playoff lives in the wild-card race. To prepare you for that game, here are the odds, picks and NFL betting tips you need for Vikings-Saints in Week 16.

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Vikings vs Saints Odds to Back

Vikings vs Saints Betting Analysis

Over the past few years, the Vikings and Saints have played some fantastic games in the playoffs. But will this Friday game on Christmas live up to some of their previous meetings? Probably not. It could still be a fantastic game, though.

Vikings-Saints Moneyline Betting

After back-to-back losses, the Saints have essentially given away the No. 1 seed to the Green Bay Packers. The Saints are not out of that race, but the odds of them getting a first-round bye are shrinking quickly. Now, New Orleans needs to win one of the next two games to clinch the NFC South and ensure homefield for a playoff game in Round 1.

The Vikings need to win out and get some help to make the playoffs. Their odds of getting in aren't great, but stranger things have happened in the NFL. Minnesota has also lost back-to-back games and the defense continues to be a problem. The Vikings are allowing nearly 28 points per game, and that is exceptionally high for a Mike Zimmer-led team.

The Saints are the smart moneyline play as Drew Brees has a week under his belt after returning from his rib injury. He didn’t play fantastic on Sunday, but his team still nearly beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Look for New Orleans to score a ton of points on Christmas Day and improve to 11-4. I got the Saints at -300 with BetMGM.

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Vikings-Saints Spread Betting

As for the point spread, the Saints are a good bet to win by more than a touchdown. Minnesota's offense can certainly put up points, but its defense, especially the lack of cornerbacks, make a blowout a possibility.

The Vikings have failed to cover in five straight games and have some ugly losses against good teams. But then again, they’ve been a thorn in the Saints’ side over the last several years, covering in six of their seven games at New Orleans. Given Zimmer’s coaching ability and their weapons on offense, it wouldn’t be a complete surprise if the Vikings keep this close. But ultimately, take the Saints to win and cover at Unibet because they are the much better team. I got them at -7.

Vikings-Saints Over/Under Betting

The total for this NFC matchup was set at 51.5 when I grabbed it, and that felt relatively low. Again, the Vikings are allowing nearly 28 points per game and the Saints have a top-10 offense. Everything points to this game being a shootout as both teams have a ton of offensive firepower. New Orleans will be without Michael Thomas, but the Saints still have Alvin Kamara, Jared Cook and Emmanuel Sanders. Look for both teams to score into the mid-20s, at least. I grabbed the over at 51.5 with FOX Bet.