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.
As for the upcoming season, analysts are projecting a good year from the Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings Week 1 odds
The Vikings open their 2021 season in Cincinnati to face Joe Burrow and the Bengals. Minnesota ranked near the bottom of the NFL in dropback EPA and dropback success rate in 2020, allowing 258.8 yards per game through the air. Before missing the back half of the season due to injury, Burrow averaged 268.8 passing yards per game and now adds former teammate and Biletnikoff Award winner Ja’Marr Chase. The Vikings allowed a 100-yard receiver five times before their bye week (Week 7) before allowing just one the rest of the season.
Minnesota () opened as a 3.5-point favorite against Cincinnati. The Bengals failed to establish an identity on the ground in 2020, a phase the Vikings were exposed in during the back half of the 2020 season. After their bye week (Week 8 on), the Vikings sat last in rush EPA allowed, including allowing Saints’ Alvin Kamara to record 6 rushing touchdowns on Christmas Day. Minnesota finished last season with a 6-10 ATS (tied for second-last in the NFL) but 11-5 against the over (third).
Complete Week 1 betting preview: Vikings vs. Bengals
Minnesota 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.
Vikings Super Bowl odds and other futures markets 2021
- Odds to win Super Bowl: +5000
- To win NFC: +2200
- To win NFC North: +225
- Make playoffs: -125
- Vikings win total: 9 (+110)
Odds last updated July 28
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!
Minnesota Vikings 2021 schedule and betting odds
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff Time | Opening Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sunday, Sept. 12 | at Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 p.m. ET | Vikings -2.5 |
| Week 2 | Sunday, Sept. 19 | at Arizona Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. ET | Cardinals -1.5 |
| Week 3 | Sunday, Sept. 26 | vs Seattle Seahawks | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 4 | Sunday, Oct. 3 | vs Cleveland Browns | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 5 | Sunday, Oct. 10 | vs Detroit Lions | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 6 | Sunday, Oct. 17 | at Carolina Panthers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 7 | Sunday, Oct. 24 | BYE | N/A | N/A |
| Week 8 | Sunday, Oct. 31 | vs Dallas Cowboys | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 9 | Sunday, Nov. 7 | at Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 10 | Sunday, Nov. 14 | at Los Angeles Chargers | 4:05 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 11 | Sunday, Nov. 21 | vs Green Bay Packers | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 12 | Sunday, Nov. 28 | at San Francisco 49ers | 4:25 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 13 | Sunday, Dec. 5 | at Detroit Lions | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 14 | Thursday, Dec. 9 | vs Pittsburgh Steelers | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 15 | Monday, Dec. 20 | at Chicago Bears | 8:15 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 16 | Sunday, Dec. 26 | vs Los Angeles Rams | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 17 | Sunday, Jan. 2 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:20 p.m. ET | OTB |
| Week 18 | Sunday, Jan. 9 | vs Chicago Bears | 1:00 p.m. ET | OTB |
Best Vikings betting site(s)
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
Trades: None
Re-signings: LB Anthony Barr (one year, $8.6 million)
Free agent losses: T Riley Reiff (to Bengals), S Anthony Harris (to Eagles), DL Shamar Stephen (to Bengals), LB Eric Wilson (to Eagles)
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), DL Sheldon Richardson (one year, $3.6 million)
Draft picks: OT Christian Darrisaw, QB Kellen Mond, LB Chazz Surratt, G Wyatt Davis