Not only is this Week 7 matchup between the two best teams in the NFC North, the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are two of the top teams in the NFL. The Vikings are one of two remaining undefeated teams in the league and the Lions are one of two one-loss clubs. Minnesota is coming off its bye and should be well rested for the showdown while the Lions had no look-ahead issues throttling the Cowboys 47-9 last week, their third straight win and payout. Both teams have been a bonus to backers going a combined 9-1 against the spread at the Crypto Sportsbook with the Vikings covering in all five contests. The Lions are catching 2.5-points on the early line, the first time they’ve been an underdog this season.
NFL Betting Lines
Lions at Vikings Betting Lines
Detroit Lions +2.5 / +115
Minnesota Vikings -2.5 / ML -140
Over / Under 49.5
Lions at Vikings Same Game Parlay Picks
Lions +2.5
Lions / Vikings OVER 49.5
The Lions boasted one of the top offenses in the NFL last year finishing third in total yards and fifth in scoring. After a slow start they ratcheted things up a notch tallying more than 40 points in their last two games while cashing the OVER both times. They’ve also scored at least 30 points in the last three meetings with the Vikings, all wins, cashing the OVER in all three.
You could say Jared Goff is in a zone completing nearly 84 percent of his passes for 607 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last two games; it’s no wonder the Lions totaled 89 points in those outings. It’s not just the passing game that’s working for the Lions. They’ve balanced the attack with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs each rushing for more than 300 yards giving the Lions the fourth best ground game and third best unit in terms of total offense. Their recent scoring spurt also moved them to the top of the NFL rankings in that category with an average of 30.2 points.
It would be easy to back the OVER in this game with the early total at 49.5. But the Vikings are second best in the NFL against the run allowing just a smidge over 67 yards a game. However, they’ve been susceptible through the air allowing 263 yards. Those numbers are misleading since opponents have thrown the football more while playing from behind, but overall they rank in the middle of pack in yards against and have the third-best scoring defense.
The Lions showed last year they can solve Minnesota’s defensive riddle compiling more than 380 yards in each of the two wins. Goff was solid throwing for 577 yards with three TDs and zero interceptions in those games. Over the last five meetings in which they won four, the Lions amassed more than 370 yards each time while scoring at least 24 points.
I’m still not convinced Sam Darnold is the answer and I expect the Vikings’ bubble will burst sooner rather than later. Darnold has performed well throwing for 1,111 yards and 11 TDs while limiting his turnovers. And the Vikings have made the most of their opportunities averaging nearly 28 points while ranked 17th in total yards. They have the third-best red zone offense scoring TDs on nearly 69 percent of their trips and kicker Will Reichard has yet to miss converting all nine field goals and 16 PATS. Those are valuable points when trying to go OVER the total.
One more plus for Minnesota’s chances of scoring is not having Aidan Hutchinson rush the passer. The league leader in sacks sustained a broken leg in Sunday’s win at Dallas taking the front runner for Defensive Player of the Year off the field. We don’t know if Minnesota will take advantage of that but it does give them a better shot to secure points, which is why the OVER is a smart play. I also like the Lions, who have been a machine winning 24 of their last 32 regular season games with the points and added luxury.
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