Minnesota Vikings predictions: Week 16 at Saints

Barry Wilner of the Associated Press: Saints 27, Vikings 16. “Minnesota is a 7-point underdog at No. 4 New Orleans. Merry Christmas, Saints.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Saints 27, Vikings 17. “The Saints have lost two straight games, but Drew Brees looked more like himself in the second half against the Chiefs. That will carry over here against a Vikings defense that doesn’t rush the passer. Look for the Saints defense to get back on track as well. The Saints lost to the Vikings at home in the playoffs last year, but that won’t be the case in this one. Saints take it.”

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Saints 27, Vikings 21. “We are likely hitting the last few games of Drew Brees’ career, a reality that has everyone around this Saints team tense coming off a two-game losing streak. Last week’s version of Brees wasn’t better than Taysom Hill, but the rust may come off against a pass rush-poor Vikings team. More importantly for this Christmas Day revenge game, Kirk Cousins’ roller-coaster season looks primed to crash against a strong Saints front.”

John Breech of CBSSports.com: Saints 31, Vikings 24.

The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: Saints 30, Vikings 16. “This Friday matinee is NFL’s 22nd Christmas Day game since the 1970 merger, but hardly a must-watch to lure you away from last-minute shopping. Saints clinch division title with win (or Bucs loss) and should do so to avenge last season’s upset loss to Vikes in wild-card playoffs. Minnesota is somehow still mathematically alive for postseason, surely an indictment of math. Expect a heavy dose of Alvin Kamara as rusty Drew Brees reclaims his rhythm and N’Awlins halts a rare two-game skid.”

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Saints 30, Vikings 20. “The Vikings have had the Saints’ number in two of the past three NFC playoffs. The Saints can forget about worrying about that by eliminating the Vikings from the playoffs and finally winning a fourth straight NFC South title at the same time. After losing to the Eagles and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks, look for the Saints to lock in while they’re home for the holiday. Their run defense will rebound to contain Dalvin Cook before the pass defense tees off on Kirk Cousins. Drew Brees will pick apart the Vikings’ young secondary with a stronger second game back.”

Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Saints 26, Vikings 20. “Be thankful for football on Christmas. The Vikings are in desperation mode after a loss to the Bears, but they are up against a Saints defense that ranks in the top against the run and pass. Drew Brees gets New Orleans back in the win column in a revenge game from last year’s NFC wild card.”

Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Saints 27, Vikings 23.

Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski: “Two weeks ago, the Vikings were 6-6 and they looked like they had a path to the postseason. Nope. After season crippling losses to the Bucs and Bears, they’re essentially on life support. Drew Brees got his “sea legs” game out of the way last week against the Chiefs. He’ll be better this week against the Vikings’ suspect secondary.”

Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area: Saints 28, Vikings 20.

Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio: MDS: Saints 31, Vikings 17. Florio: Saints 27, Vikings 23.

Oliver Hodgkinson of Pro Football Network: Saints 34, Vikings 23.

Sportsnaut’s Vincent Frank: Saints 31, Vikings 20. “As for the Vikings, they are 6-8 on the season and pretty much done when it comes to the NFC Playoff race. Kirk Cousins and Co. were behind the proverbial eight-ball from the get, going 1-5 on the season. Recent losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears add another layer to this. Given that Minnesota doesn’t have much to play for here, I am not expecting a terribly inspiring effort from Mike Zimmer’s squad.”

All six analysts at SI.com are picking the Saints to win.

All three writers at Athlon Sports pick the Saints to win.

Just one of nine SB Nation writers predict a Vikings win.

All six PennLive.com writers pick the Saints to win.