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Lions at Vikings: Game preview, odds, prediction

By John Buhler

Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) evades a tackle from Minnesota Vikings strong safety Andrew Sendejo (34) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Vikings win 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) evades a tackle from Minnesota Vikings strong safety Andrew Sendejo (34) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Vikings win 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Minnesota Vikings will host their NFC North rival Detroit Lions in Week 9. Here is a game preview, the betting odds, and a final score prediction.

Week 9 features a big NFC North rivalry game that will impact the division. The Minnesota Vikings (5-2) will host the Detroit Lions (4-4) on Sunday, November 6th. Kickoff from US Bank Stadium will be at 1:00 p.m. ET. Fox will have the telecast.

Detroit lost a tough one in Week 8 on the road to the Houston Texans, who don’t seem to lose at home in NRG Stadium. That loss brings the ultra-competitive Lions back to .500 at 4-4. This team is never out of games thanks to its star signal-caller Matthew Stafford. All eight of Detroit’s games this season have been decided by seven points or less.

Minnesota was 5-0 through the first five weeks. The Vikings have lost both of their games since their Week 6 bye. Minnesota has lost a ton of key players offensively due to injury and just saw offensive coordinator Norv Turner resign on Wednesday morning.

Fortunately for the Vikings, new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has a great working relationship with quarterback Sam Bradford. They’ve worked together in St. Louis, Philadelphia, and now in Minnesota.

Odds

Point Spread: Minnesota -6
Moneylines: Minnesota -250, Detroit +210
Over/Under: 41

According to OddsShark.com, the Vikings are laying six points at home to the visiting Lions. The associated money lines are Minnesota -250 and Detroit +210. This game’s over/under comes in at 41 combined points.

Here are the trends to know with regards to the Lions: 1.) Detroit is 6-12 against the spread in its last 18 road games. 2.) The Lions are 4-10 straight up in their last 14 games away from home. 3.) They have gone under in 16 of their last 22 road games. 4.) Detroit is 1-4 against the spread in its last five with Minnesota. 5.) The Lions are 7-18 straight up in their last 25 games with the Vikings.

Here are the trends to know about the Vikings: 1.) Minnesota is 10-2 against the spread in its last 12 games. 2.) The Vikings are 8-3 straight up in their last 11 games. 3.) They have gone under in five of their last six games. 4.) Minnesota is 5-0 against the spread in its last five home games. 5.) The Vikings are 5-1 straight up in their last six home games.

Like all the games that the Lions have played in this season, this game will be decided by seven or fewer points. The under seems like the wise play, as Detroit’s offense is decent but not explosive. Minnesota wins game on defense and barely treads water offensively.

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Despite changing offensive coordinators mid-week, the Vikings should be good enough to win at home over the Lions. Detroit has not played well on the road for a very long time. Shurmur will help Bradford be a little better at quarterback which will be the difference. The Lions lose by a touchdown and a Blair Walsh PAT to the Vikings.

Pick: Vikings 23, Lions 16

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