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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Predictions, Odds, Picks

VegasInsider Staff
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
4 minute read
Dec. 5, 2021
Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Week 13 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET

The NFC North features the Minnesota Vikings taking on the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Kick off is set for 1:00 p.m. ET and will air on FOX from Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.

Score Prediction

Vikings 23, Lions 17

Best Bets

Under 47 (-110) at South Point

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Predictions

The winless Detroit Lions will look to break into the win column against the Minnesota Vikings this week. Detroit almost came from behind to beat Minnesota earlier this season, but Greg Joseph hit a 54-yard field goal at the gun to give the Vikings a two-point win. Minnesota is hoping to pick up a more comfortable win in Ford Field on Sunday.

The loss of Dalvin Cook is huge for the Vikings. This offense is largely predicated on Cook setting the tone on the ground, allowing Kirk Cousins to find open receivers on play action. Cook’s injury will stymie this offense, allowing the Lions to cover the number.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Odds

More Odds | Futures Odds




Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Resources

  • Matchup: NFC North
  • Date: Sunday, December 5, 2021
  • Venue: Ford Field
  • Location: Detroit, Michigan
  • TV-Time: CBS - 1:00 p.m. ET

Week 13 NFL Picks & Predictions

Games Scheduled for 4:00 p.m. through 8:20 p.m. ET

Minnesota Vikings Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 5-6
  • ATS: 6-5
  • O/U: 6-5
  • ATS - Home: 2-3
  • ATS - Away: 4-2

Cousins is posting good numbers, throwing for over 3,000 yards and averaging 7.4 YPA with 23 touchdowns and three interceptions. However, Cousins is sometimes missing open receivers, hurting Minnesota’s chances to win games. Cousins again has an elite wide out in Justin Jefferson, and he has helped the quarterback thrive.

Jefferson has 67 receptions for 1,027 yards and six touchdowns. He has been a monster in his last three games with 30 targets for 395 yards and two scores. Adam Thielen has 63 catches for 686 yards and 10 touchdowns, and tight end Tyler Conklin is back in the lineup too for the Vikes.

Cook will miss at least the next two games with a shoulder injury. Cook has had some trouble running the ball in recent weeks, but he is still better than Alexander Mattison. Mattison is averaging just 3.6 YPC, but he did run for 113 yards in Minnesota’s previous meeting with Detroit.

There are some questions about this defense. Defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen are out, and star cornerback Patrick Peterson will miss this game too. Linebackers Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr are both questionable, so the Vikes could give up some yards. Minnesota ranks dead last in rush defense, allowing 4.8 YPC and 134.4 YPG.

Detroit Lions Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 0-10-1
  • ATS: 7-4
  • O/U: 3-8
  • ATS - Home: 3-2
  • ATS - Away: 4-2

Jared Goff has yet to win a game with his new team. Detroit was expecting worse production from this position after the Matt Stafford trade, but Goff is really struggling in the Motor City. He is averaging just 6.4 YPA with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions.

The receivers for this team are not that good. Kalif Raymond and Amon-Ra St. Brown both have less than 400 receiving yards, as Goff has preferred to target tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift. Hockenson has 57 receptions for 534 yards and three touchdowns, but Swift will be unavailable for this game with a shoulder injury.

Swift’s injury means that Jamaal Williams will start at running back against the Vikings. Williams is averaging 4.2 YPC, and he isn’t nearly as much of a receiving threat out of the backfield with 5.6 YPR.

This defense is not good. Detroit ranks in the bottom five in total defense and yards per play, and the Lions are allowing 7.9 YPA (32nd in the NFL). Amani Oruwariye has been targeted a lot, but he has sometimes made quarterbacks pay with nine pass defenses and five interceptions.


Minnesota has won eight straight games when facing Detroit. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Minnesota Vikings

  • Record: 5-6
  • Division Standing: 2nd - NFC North
  • Points Scored: 281
  • Points Allowed: 276
  • PS/G: 25.5 (9th)
  • PA/G: 25.1 (24th)
>

Inside the Stats - Detroit Lions

  • Record: 0-10-1
  • Division Standing: 4th - NFC North
  • Points Scored: 174
  • Points Allowed: 289
  • PS/G: 15.8 (30th)
  • PA/G: 26.3 (27th)

Key Players to Watch

  • MIN: Kirk Cousins - QB (275/406, 3,013 yards, 23 TD, 3 INT)
  • MIN: Adam Thielen - WR (63 catches, 686 yards, 10 TD)
  • DET: Jared Goff - QB (241/358, 2,280 yards, 10 TD, 6 INT)
  • DET: T.J. Hockenson - TE (57 catches, 534 yards, 3 TD)

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Conclusion

This game will be closer than the experts think. Minnesota won’t be able to establish the run like it wants to in this game, and Cousins will miss some big plays to keep Detroit in it. The Lions might not get the win, but they will be able to stay within the number.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Trends

  • Detroit has gone UNDER the point total in eight of its last nine games.
  • Minnesota has won eight straight games when facing Detroit.
  • Minnesota has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games when playing as the favorite.

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