detroit lions vs minnesota vikings

Detroit Lions (3-4) vs Minnesota Vikings (2-5) Game Preview

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Why Detroit Lions Will Win

The Lions are doing enough defensively against the run to at least keep Dalvin Cook from going off. They’re getting into the backfield, they haven’t allowed 100 yards on the ground in two of the last there games, and the offense should be able to light up the Viking secondary no matter what.

Minnesota has been destroyed through the air by everyone but Phil Rivers and Russell Wilson – strangely enough. But …

Why Minnesota Vikings Will Win

What kind of shape is Matthew Stafford in? There’s been a COVID issue with Detroit this week, but Stafford is active and is almost certainly a go – but it’s been a rough week.

Yes, Detroit is good against the run, and yes, the Viking offense hasn’t been consistent, but the running game is rocking with Cook back. He was ground down, was banged up, and now he’s back, running for 163 yards and three scores against Green Bay in the shocking win. Minnesota can bash.

Fantasy Football Player To Watch

WR Marvin Jones, Detroit
Jones managed four catches for 39 yards and two TDs last week against a tough Colts defense. He was targeted an additional two times in the end zone with near misses. Minnesota’s secondary is a disaster, and Kenny Golladay is out for this Lions this week – Jones should be good for 10 targets even if Matthew Stafford doesn’t play.

What’s Going To Happen

Good luck figuring out which Minnesota team will show up. It all starts with controlling the game and the clock, and that means Kirk Cousins has to get hot early on to keep Detroit from loading up against Cook. The downfield passing game will work out well enough balance out the attack.

Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Prediction, Line

Minnesota 26, Detroit 21
Bet on Detroit vs Minnesota with BetMGM
Minnesota -4, o/u: 52
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2.5

5: Getting to take a break from politics
1: Going back to dumb sports takes

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The Detroit Lions (3-8-1 and losers of four straight games) limp into U.S. Bank Stadium Sunday to play a Minnesota Vikings (8-4) team still stinging from a second-half collapse Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET. We analyze the Lions-Vikings odds and lines, with NFL betting picks and tips for this matchup.

Detroit at Minnesota: Week 14 preview, betting trends and notes

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Detroit is 4-5 against the spread in its last nine games, much better than its 1-8 straight-up record in that span.
Minnesota won four of its last five games when favored by double digits. It was 2-2-1 ATS in those games.
The Lions have scored 20 or more points in nine of their 12 games.
Minnesota is 7-1 against the moneyline as a favorite and 5-3 against the spread in those games.
The Vikings have won 10 straight games against teams with a losing record.
Detroit is one of only three teams that have led at some point in every game this season, joining the San Francisco 49ers (10-2) and Kansas City Chiefs (8-4).

Detroit at Minnesota: Key injuries

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (hamstring) has yet to practice, but head coach Mike Zimmer said Thursday he has a good chance to play Sunday. RB Dalvin Cook (chest) has been limited in practice.

The biggest injury issue in Detroit is QB Matthew Stafford (hip/back), who is expected to miss his fifth straight game.

Detroit at Minnesota: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Minnesota 34, Detroit 16

Moneyline (?)

Minnesota is a gigantic favorite (-667), which takes most bettors out of the running due to lack of interest in the small return of $1.50 on a $10 bet. The Lions (+480) will need a miracle to win, but they’ve beaten Minnesota in two of three meetings at US Bank Stadium.

A small bet on Detroit would yield almost a 5-to-1 return on investment, but with David Blough making his second start, the best advice is to AVOID.

Against the Spread (?)

Minnesota (-115) is a 12.5-point favorite and still giving away worse betting odds than the Lions (-106). It’s a big number, but the Vikings are 5-0 at home and won those games by an average of 13.6 points. The Lions are on their third QB and a free-agent running back going up against a strong defense. Lay the points with the LIONS (-12.5, -115).

Over/Under (?)

This one is kind of a mystery at 42.5 points (Over: -115, Under: -106). Minnesota is averaging more than 29 points per game at home, the Lions have averaged 19 PPG without Stafford and, when the team met in October, they combined for 72 points. Unless you believe Detroit is going to score 10 or less, take the OVER (-115).

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