In a battle of two clubs that prefer to pass the ball, the Vikings (-5) are gearing up to welcome the Detroit Lions to Minnesota. This NFC North matchup gets underway at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX is scheduled to have the TV rights.
Week 9 Betting Preview: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Detroit is the road underdog in this NFC matchup and is currently getting 5 points. The Lions are also receiving +160 moneyline odds while the Vikings are -180. If one side gets out in front early it’ll produce a decent in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 51 points.
The O/U has not changed after being set initially at 51. Having said that, the line opened at -6 so the sharp action is siding with the Lions.
The Lions are 5-2 against the spread (ATS) and have lost 2.0 units so far. The team has posted an O/U record of 5-2.
The Vikings have gained 2.4 units for moneyline bettors this season. They’re 4-3-1 ATS and have an even O/U record of 4-4.
The Lions have gone 3-4 straight up (SU), including 1-0 SU against NFC North opponents. The Vikings are 4-3-1 SU overall and 0-0 SU against divisional foes.
The Lions came up short to Seattle 28-14 in a Week 8 contest where Matthew Stafford completed 27-of-40 passes for 310 yards, two scores and one interception. Kerryon Johnson (only 22 yards on eight rushes) led the running attack while Marvin Jones Jr. (seven receptions, 117 yards, two TDs) and Golden Tate (seven catches, 50 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
Minnesota just lost a 30-20 game to New Orleans in Week 8. The team’s defensive unit allowed the Saints to rush for 106 yards on 29 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Mark Ingram put up a good showing in the win for New Orleans, posting 63 rushing yards on 13 attempts. For Minnesota, Kirk Cousins completed 31-of-41 passes for 359 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Latavius Murray (56 rushing yards on 13 attempts, one TD) mounted the running game as Stefon Diggs (10 receptions, 119 yards, one TD) and Adam Thielen (seven catches, 103 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the loss.
Detroit’s run the ball on 38.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Minnesota has an overall rush percentage of 33.8 percent. The Lions have produced 109.7 rush yards/game (including 94.0 per game versus North opponents) and have four touchdowns on the ground this year. The Vikes are logging 87.1 rush yards per game (68.0 in conference) and have five total rushing TDs.
It appears that the Lions could have the edge when it comes to quarterback protection, since their offensive line has given up just 47 sacks while the D-line registered 35 sacks. The Vikings offensive line has allowed 27 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 37 times.
The Lions offense has tallied 275.1 yards/contest in the air overall (183.0 per game versus conference opposition) and has 14 passing scores so far. The Vikes have recorded 315.1 pass yards per contest (425 in the NFC) and have 16 total pass TDs.
Detroit has let opponents run for an average of 144.6 yards and throw for 245.9 yards per game. The Minnesota D has allowed 265.5 yards per game to opposing passers and 91.8 yards per game on the ground. The Vikes are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 6.47 to opponents, while the Lions have allowed a 7.95 ANY/A.
Cousins has connected on 216-of-301 passes for 2,280 yards, 14 TDs and four INTs. Cousins’ adjusted net yards per pass attempt sits at 7.00 for the year and 6.99 across his past two games. In the other locker room, Stafford has put up 1,695 passing yards this season, and has completed 153-of-231 attempts with 12 passing touchdowns and six interceptions. Stafford has a 6.56 ANY/A for the year, though that number is 8.20 over the past two outings.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings NFL Pick
SU Winner: Vikings, ATS Winner: Lions, O/U: Over
Team Betting Notes
- The Detroit defensive unit has sacked opposing QBs 23 times this year. Minnesota has recorded 21 sacks.
- Minnesota has lost seven fumbles in 2018 while Detroit has let three get away.
- The Vikings have made eight pass plays of 30+ yards while the Lions have produced nine such plays.
- The Detroit defense has allowed four pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Minnesota has given up eight such plays.
- The Detroit offense has created six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while Minnesota has created eight such runs.
- The Lions defense has allowed six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Vikings have given up zero such runs.
- The O/U for Minnesota’s last outing was set at 54. The under cashed in the 30-20 defeat to New Orleans.
- In its last three games, Minnesota is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- Over its last three matches, Detroit is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for Detroit’s last game was 48. The under cashed in the team’s 28-14 defeat to Seattle.
- As a team, Detroit has averaged 4.9 yards per carry over its past three games and 5.9 over its last two.
- Minnesota has averaged 4.7 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.8 over its past two.
