The Minnesota Vikings (5-6) are still in the playoff hunt and need to beat the teams they should beat and no team exemplifies a team to beat like the Detroit Lions (0-10-1). Kickoff for their Week 13 matchup at Ford Field is set for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Vikings vs. Lions odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
Minnesota is 2-4 on the road, but it should be noted that three of those four losses came against the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens. The Vikings are extremely banged up at key positions but have been playing through injuries all season.
The Lions have had their share of close games this season but haven’t scored more than 20 points in a game since Week 1. Detroit has been close to securing its first win, but when you score so few points the wiggle room to capture victory goes away.
Vikings at Lions odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Vikings -380 (bet $380 to win $100) | Lions +290 (bet $100 to win $290)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vikings -7.5 (-110) | Lions +7.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Vikings at Lions key injuries
Vikings
- RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) out
- OT Christian Darrisaw (ankle) out
- LB Eric Kendricks (biceps) questionable
- LB Anthony Barr (knee/hamstring) questionable
- CB Patrick Peterson (COVID) questionable
Lions
- DE Trey Flowers (knee) out
- RB D’Andre Swift (shoulder) out
- LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin (shoulder) out
- DE Michael Brockers (knee) questionable
- OT Penei Sewell (illness/shoulder) questionable
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Vikings at Lions odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Vikings 27-17
Money line
When you have to bet almost four times the amount you will win, the bet is senseless. AVOID.
Against the spread
Whether you’re a fan of Kirk Cousins or not, you have to respect that he is 7-0 as a Viking against the Lions and gets amped up to return to his home state to play. The last couple of games have been very close (both two-point wins), but Minnesota has too many offensive weapons for the Lions to hold down.
WR Justin Jefferson had 100 yards in the first half against the Lions in October because Detroit’s defense simply didn’t have an answer. The line opened at 6.5 and would have been a lot more comfortable if had stayed there, but Minnesota has to win games against teams like Detroit to stay in the hunt for the last wild card spot.
Take the VIKINGS -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under
The Lions are the key to this one. The fact they have scored 19 or fewer points in each of their last 10 games doesn’t bode well. However, their defense has kept them in games. The total points scored in the last three Lions games have been 32, 23 and 30 — including road games at the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
Minnesota will likely run RB Alexander Mattison 20 or more times (as he has done in each of the last three games Cook has missed). This is a point that can be reached, but it may take a defensive touchdown to hit.
Take the UNDER 46.5 (-105)
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