SETTING THE SCENE: We analyse the key H2H stats ahead of the first 2022 NFL London Games clash between the Vikings and the Saints at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The ground-breaking Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the first purpose-built NFL stadium outside of the US and will host numerous NFL matches over a 10-year partnership that will see some major NFL rivalries entertain UK supporters like never before.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside Wembley Stadium, plays host to the three 2022 NFL London Games, with Minnesota Vikings v New Orleans Saints kicking off the series this Sunday.
Playing each other 36 times in NFL history, the Vikings and Saints have long fought out their differences, with one clear winner claiming 23 victories. The Vikings have dominated this fixture since its first match and have only lost to the Saints on 13 occasions.
Though the Vikings are the clear leaders in the all-time series between the two teams, the Saints have dealt some damaging blows to their rivals on several occasions. Most notably on Christmas Day 2020… While just leading 31-27 after three quarters, the Saints suddenly mobilised and stormed through the quarter taking 21 points and incredibly finishing the match 52-33 victors. The game was the Vikings’ worst defensive performance in franchise history and eliminated them from Playoff contention that year.
Meanwhile, Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has started off the new season pretty well throwing for 758 yards, while his Saints adversary, Jameis Winston, has registered 858. The wide receiver for the Vikings, Justin Jefferson, who is universally considered to be one of the best in the league, has taken 18 receptions over the season so far, while his counterpart Michael Thomas has taken 16. All four players are likely to play key roles for their sides.
The Vikings have had the better start to the new season, winning two out of three games and taking one loss while the Saints have the opposite record. Claiming 19.3 points per game so far, the Vikings will look to continue the season in a strong position if they maintain their momentum, while the Saints have amassed 17.0 points per game and will be looking to boost their output as the campaign progresses.
Though the Vikings look to have started the season stronger and have traditionally dominated the Saints, winning over half of their all-time head-to-head matches, this result could prove to be hard to predict as in the previous nine meetings between the two sides, the Saints have come out on top, taking six wins.
BETDAQ’s odds see the Vikings as the 1.66 favourites after their stronger start to the season, while the Saints come in as the 2.17 underdogs.
