The NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings (10-2) find themselves underdogs when they meet the Detroit Lions (5-7) at Ford Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (FOX) below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines surrounding the Vikings vs. Lions odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions. Vikings vs Lions NFL.
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Vikings vs Lions NFL
The Vikings are shaky on defense, yet have found ways to win games late at a level that is almost unprecedented and has its share of detractors. Minnesota is 9-0 in 1-score games and has been a blowout in their 2 losses. The Vikings beat the Lions 28-24 in Week 3.
Detroit got off to a disappointing start, winning 4 of their last 5 before dropping 5 straight to fall to 1-6 with their only loss coming in a 28-25 loss to Buffalo. They beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 40-14 last week as half-point underdogs.
If the Vikings win this game, they will clinch the NFC North title with a month left in the regular season and, despite the ban, will be the first team in the league to clinch a division title and a guaranteed home playoff game.
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Vikings at Lions key injuries
Vikings
C Garrett Bradbury (back) questionable
DT Jonathan Bullard (bicep) out
OT Christian Darisaw (concussion) questionable
S Harrison Smith (neck) questionable
Lions
LB Derrick Barnes (knee) out
G Evan Brown (ankle) doubtful
CB Will Harris (hip) questionable
CB Jeff Okudah (illness) questionable
Picks and Predictions Vikings vs Lions NFL
Vikings 30, Lions 24
Moneyline
Everyone seems to be waiting for Minnesota’s uncanny luck in the 4th quarter to run out and have been predicting “trap games” when they played the New England Patriots and New York Jets, yet they won both of them.
The Vikings pass defense is brutal and gives up a lot of yards, but the D creates turnovers and makes big plays in the red zone to turn touchdowns into field goals. Detroit’s defense isn’t much better. So if the game is close in the final 5 minutes, don’t bet against the Vikings
