The Minnesota Vikings (-5.5) are set to take on their NFC North counterpart Detroit Lions at Ford Field. FOX will broadcast the action and kickoff will take place at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
In this Sunday NFC matchup, Minnesota is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 5.5 points. The Vikings are also receiving -220 moneyline odds while the Lions are +180. If one side can create a bunch of points early on it would generate a worthwhile live betting opportunity. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 43.5 points.
The betting odds have shifted slightly from where they were first posted. The line opened at 5 and the game’s O/U was placed initially at 43.
The Vikings are 7-6-1 against the spread (ATS) and have gained 2.4 units so far in 2018. They’ve been a decent under bet and have posted an O/U record of 6-8.
The Lions have lost 4.5 units this season. The team is 8-6 ATS and also owns an O/U record of 6-8.
The Vikings are 7-6-1 straight up (SU), including 2-1 SU against NFC North opponents. The Lions are 5-9 SU overall and 1-3 SU against divisional foes.
The Vikings are coming off a resounding 41-17 victory over Miami last week where Kirk Cousins completed 14 passes for 215 yards, two scores and one interception. Dalvin Cook (136 rushing yards on 19 attempts, two TDs) and Latavius Murray (68 yards on 15 carries, one TD) provided the ground attack in the win while Stefon Diggs (four receptions, 49 yards, one TD) and Kyle Rudolph (three catches, 23 yards) handled the receiving duties.
Back in Week 15, Buffalo got the victory against this Detroit team by a score of 14-13. The Lions defense allowed the Bills to eat up the clock by rushing for 117 yards on 37 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Robert Foster had a good outing in the win, recording 108 yards and a score on four catches for Buffalo. For Detroit, Matthew Stafford completed 22-of-29 passes for 208 yards and one touchdown. Zach Zenner (45 rushing yards on 10 attempts, one TD) mounted the ground game in the defeat while Kenny Golladay (seven receptions, 146 yards) and Levine Toilolo (four catches, 28 yards) led the receiving corps.
Minnesota has run the ball on 36.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Detroit has an overall rush percentage of 40.8 percent. The Vikings have run for 95.0 yards per game (including 77.3 per game versus North opponents) and have nine touchdowns via handoffs this year. The Lions are averaging 103.1 rushing yards per game (86.8 in conference) and have 10 total rush TDs.
The Vikes offensive scheme has averaged 279.5 yards through the air overall (298.3 per game versus conference opposition) and has 26 passing TDs so far. The Lions have put up 243.5 pass yards per contest (223 against NFC competition) and have 19 total pass scores.
Defensively, Minnesota should have the upper hand when it comes to limiting the pass. The team has let opponents run for an average of 111.4 yards and pass for 226.9 yards per game. The Detroit defense has given up 249.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 115.4 yards per game to opposing runners. The Vikes are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 5.41 to opposing QBs, while the Lions have given up a 7.47 ANY/A.
Offensively, Cousins is up to 3,705 passing yards this year. He’s connected on 364-of-512 attempts with 25 passing scores and 10 interceptions. Cousins has a 6.52 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.10 over the last two games.
Matthew Stafford has completed 314-of-468 passes for 3,294 yards, 19 TDs and 11 INTs for Detroit. His ANY/A sits at 5.84 for the year and 6.11 over his past two games.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Pick
SU Winner: Vikings, ATS Winner: Lions, O/U: Under
Team Betting Notes
- The Detroit offense has lost seven fumbles this season while Minnesota has let 10 get away.
- The Minnesota defense has 47 sacks on the year while Detroit has just 38.
- Minnesota, as a team, has rushed for 5.3 yards per attempt over its last three games and 4.9 over its last two.
- Detroit has averaged 4.0 yards per carry over its last three outings and 4.0 over its past two.
- In its last three contests, Detroit is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The Over/Under for Minnesota’s last game was set at 45. The over cashed in the team’s 41-17 win over Miami.
- In its last three matchups, Minnesota is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
- The O/U for Detroit’s last matchup was set at 39.5. The under cashed in the team’s 14-13 defeat to Buffalo.
