The Detroit Lions will try to get their first win of the season when the Minnesota Vikings come to town Sunday afternoon. Minnesota is favored by a touchdown at many sportsbooks, but the Vikings are going to be without their superstar running back, Dalvin Cook.
Could that be the break the Lions need to finally get win No. 1? Here are all the betting odds for Sunday’s game at Ford Field.
Lions Vs. Vikings Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Vikings -7 (-110) Lions +7 (-110) |
Vikings -310 Lions +245 |
Over 47 (-110) Under 47 (-110) |
||
| BetMGM | Vikings -7 (-110) Lions +7 (-110) |
Vikings -300 Lions +250 |
Over 47 (-110) Under 47 (-110) |
||
| Caesars | Vikings -7 (-110) Lions +7 (-110) |
Vikings -320 Lions +250 |
Over 46.5 (-110) Under 46.5 (-110) |
||
| BetRivers | Vikings -7 (-109) Lions +7 (-112) |
Vikings -295 Lions +250 |
Over 46.5 (-112) Under 46.5 (-109) |
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Minnesota Vikings (5-6 SU, 6-5 ATS)
There is a chance the Vikings are going to be down more than just Dalvin Cook. CB Patrick Peterson was placed on the Covid list Monday after testing positive for the virus. However, he has said he is vaccinated so there is a chance he could be available on Sunday if he has two negative tests a day apart and is symptom-free.
They could also be without LB Anthony Barr, who left last week’s game with an injury. DL Dalvin Tomlinson has yet to come off the Covid list and DL Everson Griffen is out for the foreseeable future.
Losing Cook is a big concern, but Alexander Mattison started earlier this year against the Lions and rumbled for 113 yards on 25 carries. The key to Sunday’s game, though, will not be Mattison but whether QB Kirk Cousins can get the passing game on track early and keep it from derailing.
When Cousins is on, the passing game is one of the best in the NFL. Having top-notch receivers like Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, and tight end Tyler Conklin certainly helps, but the offense has suffered power outages in the second half on occasion. Earlier this year, the offense went without a touchdown in the second half of five out of six games.
All the injuries on defense could leave the Vikings D vulnerable against the Lions’ surprising run game.
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Detroit Lions (0-10-1 SU, 7-4 ATS)
Detroit has come close to winning in a few games this season but can’t seem to make the big play when it needs it late in the game. Take last week’s game against the Bears on Thanksgiving Day, for example. With a 14-13 lead midway through the fourth quarter, the defense let the Bears hold onto the ball for the final 8:30 of the game.
Bears kicker Cairo Santos booted a 28-yard field goal through the uprights as time expired to give his team the win.
In recent weeks, the Lions appear to have discovered a formula that at least makes them competitive — running the ball. Detroit running backs combined for 229 yards in the tie against Pittsburgh. Against the Browns, the total was 168 yards, but the average was an incredible 7.3 yards per carry.
With Jared Goff back last week against the Bears, the running game took a back seat again, but RB Jamaal Williams had a respectable day with 65 yards on 15 carries. With RB D’Andre Swift out with a shoulder injury, Williams will need to carry the load this week.
On the defensive side of the ball, the secondary will likely get tested early and often by Cousins. The Lions’ pass defense has not been bad this year (16th in the league; 242.9 yards/game). The defense did give up 300+ yards to Bears QB Andy Dalton last week, but Dalton is the only QB to crack the 300-yard mark against the Lions.
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Betting Analysis
Coming close to winning these last three weeks could mean one of two things. Either their opponents are playing down to the Lions, or the Lions are starting to play decent football. It is not hard to imagine Minnesota playing down to them as they deal with a ton of injuries, but the Vikings are the better team. Unless Minnesota helps the Lions with a few timely turnovers, it is hard to see Detroit getting its first win.
Our Pick: Minnesota -7
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