Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings odds, picks and predictions

John Holler | Staff Writer

Despite having just 3 weeks left in the regular season, when the Detroit Lions (10-4) travel to meet the Minnesota Vikings (7-7) Sunday, it will be the 1st of 2 meetings between the NFC North rivals over 15 days. Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium is set for 1 p.m. ET (FOX), Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Lions vs. Vikings odds, and make our expert NFL picks and predictions.

The Vikings have seen the opposite result in close games than they a season ago when they set an NFL record with an 11-0 record in one-score games. The Vikings have lost 3 of their last 4 games by a combined 6 points.

Minnesota lost starting QB Kirk Cousins in Week 8 and has played backups Joshua Dobbs, Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens since. Mullens started last week at Cincinnati and threw for 303 yards and 2 TDs, while backup RB Ty Chandler rushed for 132 yards on 23 carries. But Mullens threw 2 picks and was stopped twice on QB sneaks in overtime in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Bengals -- the game was a "push" as the Vikes were 3-point underdogs, and the Over (41) cashed.

The Lions have lost 2 of their last 4 games -- to division rivals Green Bay and Chicago -- but bounced back in huge way in Week 15 with a 42-17 blowout win over the visiting Denver Broncos -- Detroit was a 5.5-point favorite and the Over/Under (O/U) line was 49. QB Jared Goff threw 5 TDs -- 3 to rookie TE Sam LaPorta -- while the RB tandem of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 185 rushing yards with a TD on 28 carries as the Lions moved within 1 win from their 1st division title since the 1993-94 season.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS

Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

Lions at Vikings odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:21 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lions -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Vikings +130 (bet $100 to win $130)
Against the spread (ATS): Lions -3 (-110) | Vikings +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 47 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lions at Vikings key injuries

Lions

LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder) doubtful
DB Jerry Jacobs (hip) out

Vikings

DL Jonathan Bullard (ankle) questionable
LB Jordan Hicks (shin) questionable
RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) questionable
CB Byron Murphy Jr. (knee) out
OL Brian O'Neill (ankle) questionable
LB Ivan Pace Jr. (shoulder) questionable
DT Harrison Phillips (back) questionable

Lions at Vikings picks and predictions

Prediction

Lions 31, Vikings 20

Moneyline

PASS.

The Lions should win, but instead of risking the -155 price, let's focus on the spread.

Against the spread

LIONS -3 (-110)

The Lions are coming off one of their best games of the season and are healthy at most key spots while the Vikings are devastated with injuries -- 5 starters on defense and 2 on offense either questionable or out.

Detroit has showed the ability to steamroll opponents and have the motivation of locking down its 1st NFC North title in 30 years. The Lions can control a game on the ground if a defense can't stop them. They can make up early deficits by throwing 40 times and being successful.

If the Vikings weren't on their No. 4 QB in 2 months, they could win this game. They have the weapons on offense and the talent on defense to beat the Lions, but the Vikings are hobbled at too many key positions and will need to play a perfect game to cover this spread and potentially win.

Over/Under

OVER 47 (-110).

Of their last 8 wins, the Lions have scored 33 or more points in 5 of them. They have the ability to stack up scoring drives and keep the pressure on an opponent. Goff is coming off a career game and Gibbs and Montgomery can salt away a win with dominant ground game behind the league's best offensive line.

The Vikings have enough weapons on offense to do damage, including big-play threats WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and TE T.J. Hockenson (in a revenge play against the team that traded him).

It likely won't be enough to pull out a win, but enough to get the score OVER 47 (-110).

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:

[]

Facebook Twitter Email