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Come Fan with UsSaturday, July 18, 2026

NFL Week 1 Preview, Prediction: Minnesota Vikings Vs. New Orleans Saints

Minnesota Vikings (0-0) at New Orleans Saints (0-0)

When: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, NBC

SB Nation Vikings: Daily Norseman

SB Nation Saints: Canal Street Chronicles

Breakdown: The Vikings and Saints meet once again. The Saints defeated the Vikings in the NFC Championship game in 2009 before going on to win the Super Bowl. The main ingredients for each team are still there including Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson for the Vikings and Drew Brees and Pierre Thomas for the Saints. At stake in this game is the early bragging rights for the best team in the NFC. It could also be a potential tie breaker for home field advantage down the stretch.

Player to Watch: While the passing games will likely be putting up touchdowns left and right, the Vikings will be able to lean on Adrian Peterson to keep the game at their pace. He's among the best running backs in the league and is an x-factor in this game. If he can pop off, the Vikings can finally beat the Saints.

Line: Saints are 5.5-point favorites.

Prediction: With Brett Favre returning with limited practice time during the preseason, the Vikings will lean on Adrian Peterson and come out with the three-point victory.

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