In a display of two franchises that like to air it out, the Minnesota Vikings (-5) are set to welcome the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. This NFC North matchup kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET and FOX is scheduled to broadcast the action.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview
Detroit is playing the role of underdog and is currently getting 5 points in this NFC matchup. The Lions are also receiving +160 moneyline odds while the Vikings are -180. Oddsmakers have set the over/under (O/U) at 51 points. If the underdog gets out in front in the early stages, it would likely produce a worthy live betting opportunity.
Sharp bettors have been hammering the Lions. The line opened at -6, while the game’s O/U hasn’t moved after being set initially at 51.
The Lions have lost 2.0 units so far in 2018 and are 5-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 5-2. The Vikings are up 2.4 units this season. The team is 4-3-1 ATS and has 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 are on the rebound after a 28-14 defeat to Seattle last week. Matthew Stafford completed 27-of-40 passes for 310 yards, two scores and one interception. Kerryon Johnson (only 22 rushing yards on eight attempts) led the ground attack while Marvin Jones Jr. (seven receptions, 117 yards, two TDs) and Golden Tate (seven catches, 50 yards) manned the receiving duties in the defeat.
Minnesota just dropped a 30-20 game to New Orleans in Week 8. The defense let the Saints rush for 106 yards on 29 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Mark Ingram put up a solid outing, recording 63 rushing yards on 13 attempts for New Orleans. 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 pass-catching attack in the loss.
Detroit has run the ball on 38.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Minnesota has a rush percentage of 33.8 percent. The Lions have produced 110 rush yards/game (including 94 per game against North opponents) and have four scores on the ground this year. The Vikes are averaging 87 rushing yards per game (68 in conference) and have five total rush TDs.
It seems like the Lions ought to be the more disruptive team in the trenches. Their offensive line has yielded just 47 sacks while their D-line logged 35 sacks. The Vikings O-line has given up 27 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs just 37 times.
The Lions offensive scheme has averaged 275 yards through the air overall (183 per game against conference opposition) and has 14 passing TDs so far. The Vikes have recorded 315 pass yards per game (425.0 against NFC competition) and have 16 total pass scores.
On the defensive side of the ball, Detroit has allowed 145 rush yards and 246 pass 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 only 6.47 to opponents, while the Lions have allowed a 7.95 ANY/A.
Offensively, Stafford is up to 1,695 passing yards on the year, and has connected on 66 percent of his 231 attempts with 12 passing scores and six interceptions. Stafford has a 6.56 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number sits at 8.20 over the past two games.
Kerryon Johnson (308 rushing yards, one rush TD, 137 receiving yards this season), Marvin Jones Jr. (358 receiving yards, five receiving TDs) and Golden Tate (12 rush yards, 481 receiving yards, three TDs) have each played key roles lately.
Kirk Cousins has completed 216-of-301 passes for 2,280 yards, 14 TDs and four INTs for Minnesota. His ANY/A stands at 7.00 for the year and 6.99 over his past two outings.
As a group, Adam Thielen, Latavius Murray and Stefon Diggs have collectively accounted for 551 total yards and six touchdowns the last two outings.
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Lions have made nine pass plays of 30+ yards while the Vikings have accounted for eight 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 yards or more, while the Vikings have given up zero such runs.
The Detroit defense has sacked opposing QBs 23 times this season. Minnesota has registered 21 sacks.
As a team, Detroit has rushed for 4.9 yards per attempt 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 last two.
In its last three games, Minnesota is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Detroit’s previous game was set at 48. The under cashed in the team’s 28-14 defeat to Seattle.
In its last three matches, Detroit is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The O/U for Minnesota’s last outing going into it was 54. The under cashed in the team’s 30-20 defeat to New Orleans.
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