NFL lines, Week 12: 5 best bets
By John Buhler
Detroit Lions (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings
In what should be one of the two best games of the week, we have to go with the home team here in an upset. I’m taking the Detroit Lions getting three points to win and cover in a slight upset of the division rival Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota is 8-2 and has one of the best teams in the NFC. However, Detroit is underrated and could be a playoff contender if Matthew Stafford comes alive down the stretch. This is a Thanksgiving home game for the Lions, which is always a special time in Motown. The Lions have also owned the Vikings of late.
What I envision happening is this. Minnesota will lead by two scores heading into halftime. All of America watching this game will think that the Vikings have this. Then Stafford will do what he does with one of his patented fourth-quarter comebacks. With a few minutes left, Stafford will get the Lions the lead for the first time of the game.
Then, it will be on Vikings quarterback Case Keenum to lead his own fourth-quarter comeback on the road in hostile Detroit. The pressure will be too great for he and the Vikings offense. Detroit forces a turnover and pulls off its signature win of the year and a season sweep of Minnesota.