NFL Week 6 Odds: 5 best bets against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) over Detroit Lions
This line opened with Detroit as approximately a 2-point favorite on the road, and the number has moved all the way to Minnesota taking “favorite” status. However, the lion’s share of the tickets (64% at the time of this post) have come in on the side of the Lions, meaning that the “sharps” are almost certainly on the Vikings in this match-up of NFC North rivals.
There are several factors that go into backing Minnesota in this spot, but chief among them is the return of Teddy Bridgewater. In his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons, the former Louisville QB was electric in throwing for 317 yards and rushing for 27 yards and a touchdown, and quite frankly, the difference between Bridgewater and the artist formerly known as Christian Ponder is sizable.
In addition to the Bridgewater factor, the Lions are without Calvin Johnson in this game and Detroit has shown repeatedly that they are a different group away from Ford Field. The Lions are 6-12 in their last 18 games away from home, and QB Matthew Stafford has repeatedly shown that he is a less effective player without Johnson on the field.
The Lions are probably the more talented team from top to bottom, but the venue matters, and without Johnson in this spot, Minnesota is the play.