In a disappointing season for both teams, the Minnesota Vikings (6-9) travel to play the Detroit Lions (5-10) Sunday of Week 17. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at Ford Field with last place in the NFC North on the line. Below, we preview the Vikings-Lions betting odds and lines and make our NFL picks and predictions.
Vikings at Lions: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 4:18 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Vikings -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | Lions +240 (bet $100 to win $240)
- Against the spread/ATS: Vikings -7 (-105) | Lions +7 (-115)
- Over/Under: 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Vikings at Lions: Game notes
- The Vikings are 0-6 ATS in their last six games.
- The Lions are 3-6 ATS in their last nine games.
- The total has hit the Over in nine of Minnesota’s last 13 games.
- Detroit is just 1-10 straight-up in its last 11 home games.
- Minnesota is 6-0 ATS in its last six games against Detroit.
- The Lions have hit the Over in four of their last five games against NFC North Division opponents
Vikings at Lions: Key injuries
Vikings
- RB Dalvin Cook (death of father) out
- K Dan Bailey questionable
- CB Cameron Dantzler (hamstring) out
- DE Jalyn Holmes (groin) out
- CB Chris Jones (groin) out
- LB Eric Kendricks (calf) out
- DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (chest) out
- OT Riley Reiff (reserve/COVID-19 list) questionable
Lions
- QB Matthew Stafford (right thumb, rib, ankle) questionable
- LB Jamie Collins (neck) questionable
- OT Tyrell Crosby (ankle) out
- OG Joe Dahl (back) out
- WR Kenny Golladay (hip) out
- C Frank Ragnow (throat) questionable
Vikings at Lions: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Minnesota 24, Detroit 20
Money line (?)
Minnesota (-300) is a healthy favorite because the belief is that Detroit will be without Stafford. Why risk a veteran player who is going to have a new coaching staff next season for a game that is truly meaningless? Minnesota should win on superior talent, but it’s not worth risking 3 times your potential return. AVOID.
Against the spread (?)
Minnesota is going to be without Cook and likely Reiff, two of the five most important players on the Vikings offense. Plus, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer called the defense the first bad defense he has ever coached. Minnesota has enough horses to win, but if you’re giving me the Lions and a touchdown, I’ll take LIONS +7 (-115).
Over/Under (?)
It’s surprising that the O/U is hovering at 54.5 with Cook out and Stafford likely out. They are arguably the two most important players to their respective offenses. Plus, both defenses are generally awful. You get the feeling that this is a classic Week 17 game where teams are going to make “business decisions” and protect their players by sitting them or taking them out early in a game with no meaning. Can we assume that this won’t be a 31-28 game? Yes. Take the UNDER 54.5 (-110).
Want action on this NFL game? Sign up and bet at BetMGM. If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Also see:
- 4 Minnesota players you might see more of Sunday (Vikings Wire)
- PK Prater hopes to be back with Detroit in 2021 (Lions Wire)
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