It was a rollercoaster of a season for the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. At one point, the Vikings were looking like a bottom-three team in the league at 1-5. At another point, they were the seventh seed in the NFC Playoff. When the book closed on the 2020 season, the Vikings were out of the playoff and moving into cleanup duty. Offensively, there’s a lot to be excited about; rookie star Justin Jefferson broke records and turned heads. Dalvin Cook had another superstar season and finished behind just Derrick Henry in rushing yards and Kirk Cousins finally came around.
The liability for Minnesota was their defense, which was gashed time and time again. The unit gave up the fourth-most points per game and 10.3 more points per game than their 2019 team (sixth best– the biggest drop in the NFL). It wasn’t the season Vikings fans had hoped for and offseason changes are coming to their roster. Even Zimmer himself was quoted as saying his defense is “one of the worst [he’s] ever had.” The free agency push addressed that, pulling in high-profile players like Patrick Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson.
Where will the Vikings go in the draft to bring them back into the playoff picture for 2021?
Minnesota Vikings odds
Best Vikings betting site(s)
Vikings prop bets
Prop bets are based on individual performance, typically surrounding players. Dalvin Cook was one of the best running backs in the NFL in 2020, making him a bettor’s favorite with prop bets. For example, Cook’s projected rushing total in the Vikings’ Week 11 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys was 96.5 yards. Those who thought he would rush for 97 or more yards would be the over while those who thought he would rush for 96 or fewer yards would take the under. Cook picked up 115 yards that game, giving those who bet over his rushing total the win.
Search below for Minnesota Vikings team or player props currently being offered at sportsbooks. You can also look around at other teams and players using this tool. Happy shopping!
Vikings futures odds
Futures are long-term bets that can range from an offseason to a full season (or beyond). Team win totals, award winners, and player performance are common futures. For example:
2020 Odds to win NFL OROY
- Joe Burrow +220
- Tua Tagovailoa +290
- Clyde Edwards-Helarie +500
- Justin Herbert +1200
This line for the Offensive Rookie of the Year would often be bet before the season starts. Futures allow for bettors to capitalize on players they think are favorites to win awards long before the odds shift away from their favor. For example, Herbert opened with odds of +1200 to win the OROY award after the NFL Draft; his odds shifted and he eventually won the award in December.
Vikings Super Bowl LVI odds
The Minnesota Vikings opened with +4000 odds to win Super Bowl LVI. Those odds are relatively middle-of-the-road and are comparable to teams like the Panthers, Steelers, and Cardinals.
Vikings NFC North odds
The Packers clinched the NFC North and the Vikings were eliminated from the division race in 2020.
Vikings win totals
8.5 wins (+100 over)/(-122 under)
The Vikings’ offense had found their stride behind rookie phenom Justin Jefferson and stud Dalvin Cook. Defensive troubles kept them outside the NFC Playoff picture, and that issue was addressed this offseason; Minnesota brings in Patrick Peterson and Dalvin Tomlinson.
Minnesota Vikings 2021 schedule and betting odds
Check back for the complete Vikings 2021 schedule along with the opening spreads for every game.
How to bet on the Minnesota Vikings
Moneyline
The moneyline is the simplest of bets, decided by the straight-up winner and loser of each game. Consider the following example:
- Vikings -125
- Eagles +180
The Vikings are considered favorites in this matchup (indicated by -125), requiring a $125 bet to win $100 (plus the initial bet back). The Eagles are the underdog in this matchup, paying out $280 total for a $100 bet ($180 in winnings). How much either team wins or loses by does not matter in moneyline betting, the payout remains the same.
Point spread
Betting on the point spread is determinant on how many points a team wins or loses by. Take the following example:
- Vikings -1.5 (-110)
- Cardinals +1.5 (-110)
In this example, Minnesota is favored by 1.5 points, indicated by “-1.5.” If the Vikings win the game 31-28, the Vikings (-1.5) win the bet and would have a total payout of $19.09 on a $10 bet ($9.09 in profit). If the Cardinals keep the game within two or win outright– say they win 37-34– the Cardinals (+1.5) would win, and the payout would be the same as listed above.
Point total (over/under)
The point total refers to the over/under line set by books. This number projects the total number of points scored in a game and, like prop betting, is bet whether one thinks the score will go over or under the set point total. For example, the Vikings’ Week 5 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks had a projected point total of 54.5 points. Minnesota lost the game 27-26, resulting in 53 total points. Those that bet under the point total would have cashed out that week.
Minnesota’s defense was a liability for most of the season, showing that they were susceptible to being lit up from Week 1. However, outside of a couple games, the Vikings were also capable of piling up points thanks to a trio of weapons in Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Theilen. The combination of a lethal offense and vulnerable defense led to Minnesota often seeing higher than league average point totals, often between 48 and 54 points.
In-play and live betting
Sometimes, the most thrilling and rewarding bets are bets made while games are being played. These are referred to as live bets or in-play bets. Odds are ever-changing during games, which would prove to be fruitful for sharp and prepared bettors. For example, if the Vikings (-130) were favored against the Broncos (+175) before kickoff, a payout on a $10 bet on the Vikings to win would win $7.69.
However, say the Vikings fell to a big 24-3 deficit in the first half despite controlling the overall game (due to costly turnovers or special teams gaffes). Odds may swing in favor of the Broncos, who may be a -110 favorite at halftime. Taking the Vikings to come back and win the game could present plus-odds (say, +130). Should a bettor take Minnesota (+130) at halftime and the Vikings pull off the comeback, winners would win $13 instead of $7.69 (plus the initial $10 bet).
This could also be an effective way to “hedge” your bet; say a bettor took the Broncos (+175) in that game, but Minnesota jumps out to a 14-0 first quarter lead and is controlling the overall feel of the game, bettors could hedge by throwing some money down on Minnesota (-210) to return some of the inevitably-lost bet.
Parlays and teasers
You can always string bets together in the form of parlays or teasers. Usually during busy Sundays, bettors can parlay several teams to win or cover against the spread and if all bets are successful, the payouts are multiplied. Teasers function similarly, except they allow bettors to move each point spread to a more favorable line in exchange for diminished odds.
Vikings 2020 recap
Record: 7-9
Record ATS: 6-10
Over/under record: 11-5
There may not have been a bigger disappointment in the NFC than the Minnesota Vikings; the once-thought contenders fell to 1-5 right out of the gate. Though they managed to finish 7-9 and just a game outside of the NFC Playoffs, Minnesota’s 2020 season felt more like their 6-10 record against the spread. They dropped games to Atlanta and Dallas, and were blown out by the Packers and Saints.
Whether they won or lost, at least the 2020 Vikings were exciting. Their 11-5 mark against the point total was one of the best in the league, with the Vikings routinely getting into shootouts with their opponents. Games like the now-infamous Christmas Day outing against the Saints were Alvin Kamara scored six touchdowns were at the very least watchable. However, the season is over and Vikings fans are ready to move on.
Vikings 2021 offseason moves
Key trades:
Key re-signings:
Key free agent losses: T Riley Reiff (to Bengals)
Key free agent signings: DL Dalvin Tomlinson (two years, $22 million), CB Patrick Peterson (one year, $10 million), EDGE Stephen Weatherly (two years, $12.5 million), LB Nick Vigil (one year, $1.8 million)
Draft pick position needs: OL, S, EDGE