Vikings vs. Saints Recap: Aaron Jones and Justin Jefferson Cash

The Vikings beat the Saints 23-13, controlling the ball for 39:37 and outgaining New Orleans 364 to 142. It was closer than those numbers suggest for a while. Minnesota led 3-0 on a Will Reichard field goal, then a fumble ended its next drive and New Orleans went 66 yards in 15 plays for a Kendre Miller 2-yard score. Reichard hit a 54-yarder at the end of the half to make it 7-6 Saints. Justin Jefferson's 15-yard touchdown catch put Minnesota ahead in the third, but Jonas Sanker returned a Minnesota fumble 87 yards to tie it at 13. The Vikings answered with a 70-yard drive capped by an 8-yard Aaron Jones run, and Reichard added a 55-yarder to close it out. Two DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Aaron Jones 50+ rushing + receiving yards (alt, targeted -250 or shorter): CASHED - Our read: With Jordan Mason out, Jones had averaged 20 carries and 85.7 rushing yards over the last three weeks, with 9 catches in his last two games. New Orleans ranked last in opponent rush success rate and was allowing 5.1 yards per carry. - What happened: Jones carried 25 times for 113 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 19, and caught 3 passes for 4 yards. That is 117 scrimmage yards, 67.5 over the line. His 8-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter put Minnesota back in front for good. - Worth watching: Twenty-five carries is a true lead-back workload, and it lined up with the matchup we flagged. While Mason is out and Jones keeps getting this volume, his yardage floor stays worth a look.

Justin Jefferson 30+ receiving yards (alt, targeted -250 or shorter): CASHED - Our read: Jordan Addison was out, which pushed more of Minnesota's passing game toward Jefferson. He had 30+ receiving yards in every game he had played this season. - What happened: Jefferson caught 6 of 7 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown, with a long of 21. That cleared the line by 49.5 yards. His 15-yard touchdown from Kyler Murray early in the third quarter put Minnesota ahead 13-7. - Worth watching: His 7 targets led the team, and no other Viking had more than 6. A low receiving line on a team's clear top target is a floor bet we like, though the alt price is short, so it fits best as a parlay leg.

How the game played out

The Minnesota defense owned this one. New Orleans finished with 87 net passing yards and 55 rushing yards, went 2 of 10 on third down, and turned it over three times. Byron Murphy Jr. had both interceptions, and Tyler Shough threw for 96 yards on 25 attempts. The Saints' only touchdowns came on the Miller run and the Sanker fumble return, and the extra point after the return failed, keeping it tied at 13.

Trends to watch

• Jones' carries: 25 carries for 113 yards against a run defense we had flagged as weak. Kyler Murray also ran 10 times for 51 yards, so this Minnesota offense leans on the ground.
• Jefferson's share: With Addison out, Jefferson saw 7 of Murray's 30 attempts. As long as Addison stays out, Jefferson's receiving floor holds up.
• Reichard's range: Field goals of 40, 54 and 55 yards. When Minnesota's drives stall past midfield, his kicking points are worth a look.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. For more, read about player props, the same-game parlay, and visit the NFL hub.