A strong start to the season is always important, but teams also need to remember that coming out of the gate quickly does not mean that the pace will be maintained all the way to the finish.
History has proven that point, with fast starters falling off the pace, allowing other teams to build momentum over the course of a long season, eventually heading into the playoffs with a head of steam.
My NFL Betting Analysis in the Week 7
Of course, there are teams that can start strong and stay that way all the way to the finish, which is what the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will be hoping to achieve after looking great on the opening month of the season.
One of these teams will have a setback this weekend, but who will it be?
The Vikings are in as a modest 1 ½ point favorite, with the total for this game set at 50 ½.
^Detroit Lions Odds +103
Last season, the Detroit Lions were the sexy pick for many heading into the season. Why they were unable to go all the way, the Lions did win the division and made it into the playoffs.
That was a big step forward for a franchise that had been in the cellar for longer than their fans care to remember.
They won the division in a canter in 2023, but the North is strong from top to bottom this season, so despite starting the season at 4-1, the Lions still find themselves in 2nd place.
The Lions have won 4 of their last 5 games against Minnesota, but that changes when we are talking about road games, as they have won just once in their last 6 attempts in Minnesota.
They have been a great road bet against the spread overall, going 7-1 ATS in their last 8 road trips.
The OVER has hit in 5 of their last 6 divisional games.
^I’ve got @AlimMcneill fresh off his new extension in studio to chat; @SeifertESPN on everything Vikings heading into Sunday’s monster matchup & @DetroitOnLion to discuss 3 Keys for the Lions Sunday on this week’s Twentyman in the Huddle podcast https://t.co/L203QdcxEP
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) October 18, 2024
Minnesota Vikings Odds -126
If we are honest, there were not a lot of people who thought that the Vikings would do much of anything this season.
Things got progressively worse in the preseason, when their top 10 draft pick, QB JJ McCarthy, went down with a season ending injury.
Handing the reins to Sam Darnold, who was in real danger of being considered a bust, seemed to cement that this was about to be a long year for the Vikings.
Darnold has stunned everyone, though, by playing great ball and leading his team to a perfect 5-0 record.
October has been a good month for the Vikings over the years, going 9-1 SU in their last 10 games played in this month.
Not only are the Vikings winning this season they are also covering, going 5-0 ATS to this point in the season.
Each of the last 5 meetings with the Lions have gone OVER the point total.
^Thursday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/HZqhXjlXWE
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 17, 2024
Lions at Vikings Betting Prediction in NFL Week 7
This has the potential to be one of the great matchups on the Week 7 schedule, and I think it will be a close one that might well come down to who gets the ball last.
I really like the OVER here, and I like the Lions to win and cover.
Detroit Lions 30, Minnesota Vikings 27
^How to Watch Lions at Vikings in NFL Week 7
Date & Time: Sunday, October 20 at 1:00 PM EST
Location: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: FOX
Lions vs Vikings in the NFC North Standings
| NFC NORTH | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team | W | L | T | % | PF | PA | Home | Road | Strk |
| Vikings | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 139 | 76 | 3-0-0 | 2-0-0 | 5W |
| Lions | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0.800 | 151 | 91 | 2-1-0 | 2-0-0 | 3W |
| Packers | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0.667 | 162 | 121 | 2-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 2W |
| Bears | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0.667 | 148 | 101 | 4-0-0 | 0-2-0 | 3W |
W: Games Won | L: Missed Matches | T: Tied Matches | %: Percentage Victories | PF: Total Points For | PA: Total Points Against | HOME: Home Record | ROAD: Road Record | Strk: Streak
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2023 Vikings at Lions, Week 18
Detroit is likely to get the 2-seed in the NFC Playoffs, which is why on Sunday, Dan Campbell is almost for sure going to rest many of his starters.
Will the Lions cover the spread without their starters? Or is this a game to back the underdog Vikings to lose by no more than 3 points?
MyBookie has the NFL line for this NFC West showdown with the Lions as -3.5 favorites over the Vikings and the total is listed at 45.5 playing in Week 18 of the NFL season.
2024 Vikings vs Lions Odds and Betting Pick for this Week 18 Matchup | MyBookie NFL Regular Season Preview
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions | NFL Week 18
ATS Odds: Lions -3.5
Money line Odds: Minnesota Vikings Line: +170 / Detroit Lions Line: -205
Over/Under Odds:45.5
Sunday, January 7th, 2024 at 1:00 pm ET | FOX
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Why bet on Vikings versus Lions
The Minnesota Vikings are all but eliminated from the playoffs, which is why Kevin O’Connell has to say which player will start, veteran backup Nick Mullens or rookie Jaren Hall.
O’Connell may want to start Hall to see what the rookie can do. Starting Hall would under almost every circumstance lead to a Minnesota loss, but Detroit is almost for sure going to rest Jared Goff and others. The Lions gave 5 losses.
So unless both the Eagles and Cowboys lose, Detroit is the 3-seed. The hook in this, the .5 in the spread line, could make a substantial difference.
Minnesota Offense Averages
- Total Yards: 341.5
- Passing Yards: 250.0
- Rushing Yards: 91.5
- Points Scored: 20.3
- Turnovers: 32
Minnesota Defense Averages
- Total Yards: 330.2
- Passing Yards: 229.7
- Rushing Yards: 100.5
- Points Scored: 20.8
- Turnovers: 22
Why Bet on Lions versus Vikings
Even if the Lions rest Goff, the backup quarterback is Teddy Bridgewater and the third string QB is rookie Hendon Hooker. Bridgewater, who announced he will retire after this season, is more than capable of a moving the football against a tired Minnesota defense.
Hooker can throw the pigskin 60 yards with accuracy and has wheels, which means he will be difficult to sack. So no matter who the Lions start at quarterback, Detroit will have a QB edge.
Detroit Offense Averages
- Total Yards: 395.7
- Passing Yards: 255.6
- Rushing Yards: 140.1
- Points Scored: 26.9
- Turnovers: 23
Detroit Defense Averages
- Total Yards: 329.1
- Passing Yards: 240.4
- Rushing Yards: 88.8
- Points Scored: 23.4
- Turnovers: 20
Detroit versus Minnesota Final Betting Prediction
For the first time this season, the Vikings showed something new, and it wasn’t a positive. Up until NFL Week 17, Brian Flores’ defense had been one of the better units in the NFC.
But every defense has its breaking points, and Flores’ D broke against the Packers. The problem isn’t that the defense didn’t try, it’s that after so many games where the D had to keep the offense in it, the defense finally tired.
On Sunday, Detroit’s second stringers, who haven’t played much football, will have much more energy than Minnesota’s defense. The home team covers.
2023 NFL Pick: ATS Detroit Lions -3.5 | Bet Vikings vs Lions
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
Minnesota Vikings Team
7-9 | 5-3 Away
Minnesota Vikings Last 5
| Date | OPP | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12/31/23 | vs GB | L33-10 |
| 12/24/23 | vs DET | L30-24 |
| 12/16/23 | @ CIN | L27-24 OT |
| 12/10/23 | @ LV | W3-0 |
| 11/27/23 | vs CHI | L12-10 |
Minnesota Vikings Injury Report
| Name | Position | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Mekhi Blackmon CB | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Byron Murphy Jr. CB | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Harrison Smith S | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Christian Darrisaw OT | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Jalen Nailor WR | Questionable | Jan 7 |
Detroit Lions Team
11-5 | 5-2 Home
Detroit Lions Last 5
| Date | OPP | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12/30/23 | @ DAL | L20-19 |
| 12/24/23 | @ MIN | W30-24 |
| 12/16/23 | vs DEN | W42-17 |
| 12/10/23 | @ CHI | L28-13 |
| 12/3/23 | @ NO | W33-28 |
Detroit Lions Injury Report
| Name | Position | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|
| C.J. Gardner-Johnson S | IR-R | Jan 7 |
| Benito Jones DT | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Jameson Williams WR | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Sam LaPorta TE | Questionable | Jan 7 |
| Brock Wright TE | Questionable | Jan 7 |
2023 NFL Standings up to Week 18
NFC North Standings
| Team | W | L | PCT | Strk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions * | 11 | 5 | .688 | L1 |
| Green Bay Packers | 8 | 8 | .500 | W2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 7 | 9 | .438 | L3 |
| Chicago Bears | 7 | 9 | .438 | W2 |
NFL Odds
Super Bowl Odds to Win:
Vikings +50000 | Lions +2200
NFC Conference Odds to Win:
Vikings +50000 | Lions +800
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Betting Trends
- Vikings are 0-3-2 ATS in their last 5
- Minnesota is 7-6-3 ATS this season
- Over is 3-0 in the Vikings’ last 3
- Under is 10-6 in Minnesota games this season
- Lions are 4-1 ATS in their last 5
- Detroit is 11-5 ATS this season
- Over is 4-2 in the Lions’ last 6 games
- Over is 10-6 in Detroit games this season
The following NFL betting lines are based on MyBookie Sportsbook.
Enjoy the game. We hope this is the start of a great week for the National Football League. Best of luck with all your betting for this game, and all the NFL Week 18 action!
I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?
NFL Odds
MyBookie lines for the Games
2022 Vikings at Lions, Week 14
NFL Week 14 Betting Preview for Minnesota Vikings at Detroit
In a Week 14 NFC North game, the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) take on the Detroit Lions (5-7) on Sunday at Ford Field. All eyes will be on this NFC North matchup as both teams are fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC. The Lions have won four of their last five games and dominated the Jaguars 40-14 in their last contest. Meanwhile, the Vikings collected their tenth victory of the season with a 27-22 victory over the Jets and have a comfortable five-game lead over Detroit.
With lines constantly shifting, who will come out on top in this NFC North showdown? Let’s take a closer look at these two teams and see how they stack up against each other so you can bet on the NFL Betting Odds.
Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview: Vikings Keep Winning, Show Resilience against Jets
All the Vikings have done is win, and in Week 13, the Vikings overcame the New York Jets 27-22 to win as 3-point home favorites. After a 1-1 start to the season, Minnesota is now on a 2-game winning streak and has won nine of its last ten games. Additionally, Minnesota is 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven games.
The Minnesota Vikings’ tenacity is evident on the field and in their 10-2 record. This season, they have demonstrated a unique kind of resiliency in a variety of ways. Kirk Cousins and the offense plays with a swagger that has them ranked in the top 10 in passing. Everyone knows how talented the offense is, but the defense has been another story, ranking near the bottom in almost every defensive category.
How the defense has ended games this season however, is one way they have shown their toughness. It was the fourth time they had won a game with a turnover, one occurring each month, when Camryn Bynum intercepted the New York Jets on fourth down to seal last week’s victory. It’s this type of resilience that has them primed to win another matchup as an underdog.
Detroit Lions Betting Preview: Lions Look to continue Hot Streak
In Week 13, the Lions dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-14, covering as home favorites by one point. Detroit has won four of its last five games, with its lone defeat occurring on Thanksgiving Day in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills.
The Detroit Lions have started to light the NFL on fire with their tough, gritty play, and oddsmakers took notice as the Lions quickly became favorites in this game. Their offense is one of the best in the league, and they are clicking on all cylinders right now, as they are averaging 31.8 points over their last four contests.
Like Minnesota, their defense ranks near the bottom in almost every defensive category. Detroit is the only team allowing over 400 yards per contest and they face another top offense this week. While they shut down the Jaguars, they will face a stiffer test with the Vikings’ plethora of weapons.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Betting Odds and Lines
After opening as -2.5 point favorites, the Minnesota Vikings are now +2.5 point underdogs (-110) on the spread. The Detroit Lions NFL odds have shifted on the moneyline as they are now -135 favorites to win at home, while the Vikings are +115 underdogs on the road. In terms of the total, the Over/Under for this contest has been listed at 53 points, according to Mybookie.
Free Betting Pick
There is no doubt that the Lions are coming on strong, but they are not on the level of Minnesota. Nine of the last ten meetings have gone Vikings’ way, and Minnesota defeated Detroit in Week 3 of this year’s campaign 28-24. This will be an interesting matchup, but I can’t see Detroit dominating Minnesota because of the home-field advantage.
This is an absolute steal for the Vikings, who have shifted to underdogs in this matchup. Minnesota has the better overall team, and they are also 3-1 on the road this year. We like the Minnesota Vikings to possibly win this game outright but take the extra points on the road.
NFL Betting Pick: Minnesota Vikings +2.5 (-110)
NFL Betting Center
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