Betting on Detroit at Minnesota NFL Odds & Week 4 Prediction

Looking for the opening NFL lines for Sunday‘s Lions-Vikings NFC North clash? Well, you likely will have to wait until Minnesota announces whether starting quarterback Sam Bradford is going to return from a knee injury. That will affect the NFL odds and my pick on the game too. None the less, let’s see what we can expect from this matchup.

Detroit at Minnesota NFL Odds & Week 4 Game Prediction

#CheckTheReport ➡️ https://t.co/8looLmPMn1 pic.twitter.com/83AZMc7Y5R
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 27, 2017

When: Sunday, 1 PM ET Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis TV: FOX Radio: 760 AM WJR (Detroit) / KFXN-FM 100.3 (Minnesota) Opening NFL Odds: TBA

Weather Forecast

Chance of Rain: 16^°C/60^°F
Humidity: 72%
Precipitation: 58%
Wind: 16 mph SSE
Cloud Cover: 99%
Type of Stadium: Indoor

Series History

The Vikings are 71-38-2 all-time against the Lions. Minnesota is looking to beat Detroit at U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time as the Lions won both matchups last year on the final play of the game. In Minneapolis it was 22-16 in OT. Matthew Stafford threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate, who vaulted into the end zone on the first possession of OT. After Matt Prater kicked a 58-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter to force overtime, Tate finished the opening drive with a couple of broken tackles. In Detroit, the Lions won 16-13. Darius Slay returned a Bradford interception 13 yards with 30 seconds left to set up Prater’s 40-yard field goal as time expired. Why the Vikings didn’t play for overtime is a mystery.

Total Meetings: 110
First Meeting: November 19th, 1961. Metropolitan Stadium. Bloomington, Minnesota
Last Meeting: November 24th, 2016. Ford Field. Detroit, Michigan
All-Time Series: Minnesota 71-37-2
Largest Margin of Victory: Detroit 45-7 (1981)
Longest Win Streak: Minnesota 13 (1968-1974)
Current Win Streak: Detroit 2 (2016)

Best NFL Betting Picks to Parlay in Week 4

Why Bet On Detroit?

Even though technically the refs were correct last week, the Lions got jobbed in their 30-26 home loss to Atlanta. Stafford’s pass to Tate was ruled to be just short of the goal line in the final seconds, overturning the call on the field. It was originally ruled a game-winning TD, but a video review determined Tate was down just inside the 1 with 8 seconds left. By rule, 10 seconds had to run off the clock, and that ended the game because the Lions didn’t have any timeouts. Stafford completed 25-of-45 passes for 264 yards and one touchdown. Stafford was hurt by a couple Eric Ebron drops. Tate caught 7-of-11 targets for 58 yards and one touchdown that did count. Detroit was also missing a trio of first-string players: linebacker Jarrad Davis (concussion), safety Tavon Wilson (shoulder) and center Travis Swanson (ankle) and all are questionable here. Davis returned to practice Wednesday, though. The rookie was a major factor in the first two games before missing Week 3 against Atlanta, and Detroit was absolutely gutted by Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman on the ground.

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 28.33
Total Yards: 316
Rush Yards: 97
Passing Yards: 219

Defense:

Average Score Against: 21
Total Yards: 335.67
Rush Yards: 86
Passing Yards: 249.67

Why Bet On Minnesota?

Bradford (knee) is uncertain for Week 4. Coach Mike Zimmer called Bradford day to day. He also confirmed Bradford will remain the team’s starter despite Case Keenum’s explosive Week 3. As of Wednesday, Bradford hadn’t practiced this week. Zimmer said that the team is “doing everything they can” to get Bradford ready to play against the Lions. Keenum completed 25-of-33 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings’ Week 3 34-17 win over the Bucs. He added six scrambles for 18 yards. In a battle between Jameis Winston and Keenum, Keenum severely outplayed the Bucs’ third-year quarterback in a shockingly dominant effort. Zimmer credited Keenum having more time to craft a game plan for him after ruling Bradford out earlier than they did when they waited until Sunday to make a decision in Week 2.

Are the Vikings a safe betting pick against the Lions in Week 4?

The Vikings offense has gotten off to fast start in 2017 averaging 400.3 yards per game, trailing only the Patriots (440.7). Fueling the offense is a passing attack that ranks third in the NFL with 285.3 yards per game and has accounted for six touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 115.4, fourth-best in the NFL. WR Adam Thielen (299) and WR Stefon Diggs (293) rank second and third in the NFL in receiving yards, marking the first time since the 2000 Rams that two of the top three receiving yardage leaders are on the same team after Week 3 – Isaac Bruce (second-345) and Torry Holt (third-298). The Vikings run defense has held opponents to 62.7 yards per game (third in the NFL), 3.0 yards per rush (fourth in the NFL) and hasn’t allowed a run longer than 11 yards, the best mark in the NFL.

Team Statistics

Offense:

Average Score For: 24
Total Yards: 400.33
Rush Yards: 115
Passing Yards: 285.33

Defense:

Average Score Against: 20.67
Total Yards: 340.34
Rush Yards: 62.67
Passing Yards: 277.67

Latest NFL Odds Trends

Detroit is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Detroit is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games
Minnesota is 16-8 ATS in its last 24 games
Minnesota is 16-6 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games

Expert Prediction

The Vikings own a 7-3 record, including a 2-0 mark this season, at U.S. Bank Stadium since opening the venue. I like them to win if Bradford plays. Take Detroit in the NFL odds. Love the under regardless.