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Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings preview, predictions, betting odds, live stream info

By Phil Watson

Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) lines up behind his offensive lineman on a play against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) lines up behind his offensive lineman on a play against the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth quarter at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings win 14-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings (2-3) should have rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater back healthy for their NFC North matchup Sunday in Minneapolis with the Detroit Lions (3-2). Both teams come in off losses, with the Vikings dropping a 42-10 decision at Green Bay last week without Bridgewater, while the Lions blew a 14-point lead at home in a 17-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. One of the oldest rivalries in the NFL, Minnesota has a 69-34-2 edge in the all-time series, with each team winning at home last season.

This will also be the first time these two teams have played outside of a dome since Sept. 20, 1981, when the Vikings beat the Lions 26-24 at the old Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minn. (now better known as Mall of America).

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Details for Sunday’s game are below:

Date: Sunday, Oct. 12
Start Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Minneapolis
Stadium: TCF Bank Stadium
TV Info: FOX
Live Stream: NFL Sunday Ticket
Radio: Sirius XM Radio
Ticket information: For Vikings ticket info click here. For Lions ticket info click here.

Keys to Victory

If the Vikings don’t turn the ball over, they are 2-1 this season, having committed all seven of their turnovers this season in two games—four in a loss to the Patriots in Week 2 and three in the debacle at Green Bay last week. Detroit has been hampered by a gimpy Calvin Johnson, who has been battling a high ankle sprain, but are being kept afloat by their No. 1-ranked defense. Offensive inconsistency is slowing the Lions’ attack, however—Detroit is just 19th in total offense and is 28th in rushing offense.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Lions minus-1½

Moneyline: Lions minus-110, Vikings minus-110

O/U: n/a

Prediction

The Vikings have done a decent job of staying afloat without Adrian Peterson, but Detroit’s top-ranked defense presents a big challenge for an offensive line that looked overwhelmed at times against Green Bay. It stands to reason that if you’re struggling to block the likes of Mike Daniels, you’re really going to struggle to stop Ndamukong Suh.

Final Score: Lions 24, Vikings 20

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