The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) pay a visit to the division-rival Detroit Lions (5-7) for a Week 14 NFC North matchup on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field.
The Vikings come into the divisional clash off a hard-fought 27-22 home win over the New York Jets in Week 13. The Lions also prevailed last Sunday, having knocked off the visiting Jaguars by a 40-14 margin.
The game marks the second and final regular-season meeting between the clubs this season, with Minnesota having notched a 28-24 win at U.S. Bank Stadium in the first game between the teams.
With the stage set, let’s dive into our Minnesota vs Detroit best bets, predictions, and betting tips for Week 14.
Vikings vs Lions Odds
The status of the Lions as 2.5-point home favorites on Caesars Sportsbook as of Tuesday, Dec. 6, is one of the more surprising numbers of the season to date.
Although the Lions have undoubtedly impressed in recent weeks with strong play on both sides of the ball, there is still a five-wind difference between the teams. However, it’s also worth noting Minnesota has squeaked by multiple opponents by single digits recently and also suffered a 37-point loss to the Cowboys at home.
Take a look at the best Vikings odds and Lions odds for the 2022 NFL season.
Vikings vs Lions Implied Totals
Lions 27.75, Vikings 25.25
The close and high-scoring game implies bookmakers are buying heavily into what a healthy Lions offense and improving defense can do against its division rival after also having played them very close on the road in the first meeting of the season.
Vikings vs Lions Pick of the Day
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Vikings vs Lions Prediction
Lions 30, Vikings 28
The Lions have been ramping up their confidence as the season has unfolded, and the play of their offense has been an integral part. Jared Goff is arguably in the midst of his best stretch as Detroit’s starting quarterback, having thrown for 981 yards and posting a 5:0 TD:INT over his last five games, and he now has the healthiest group of skill-position assets of the season.
D’Andre Swift is finally avoiding the injury report altogether, while first-round pick Jameson Williams made his long-awaited NFL debut in Week 13 and is projected to continue ramping up his workload with each passing game. Meanwhile, Goff’s connection with Amon-Ra St. Brown is as prolific as ever, and even young tight end Brock Wright is flashing some promise as T.J. Hockenson‘s successor.
The Vikings are the type of defense that could well facilitate continued success for the Lions, as well. Minnesota is allowing an NFL-high 406.2 total yards per road game, including 274.4 through the air in that split.
The Vikes have also conceded 131.8 rushing yards per game on the ground and even the sixth-most receptions (73) and fifth-most receiving yards (573) to running backs, making this an especially appealing matchup for Swift.
Naturally, the Vikings bring plenty of firepower to the table in their own right and the Lions are allowing an NFL-high 419.7 total yards per home game. Therefore, this has all the makings of a back-and-forth affair, but ultimately, I’m in the camp of a home team that’s growing by the week to pull out the very narrow victory.
Vikings vs Lions Bet Tips
Here are a few Vikings vs Lions betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The Vikings are 6-5-1 against the spread, including 2-1-1 as a road team and 1-2 in division games.
- The Lions are 8-4 against the spread, including 5-2 as a home team and 3-0 against NFC North opponents.
- The Over is 7-5 in the Vikings’ games, but just 1-3 in their road contests.
- The Over is 8-4 in the Lions’ games, including 5-2 in their home games.
Vikings vs Lions Best Bets
Over 53 Points (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
As already noted, games have hit the Over with regularity on Ford Field’s fast track. Each team also has multiple healthy explosive offensive weapons and undeniable weak spots on defense, and with the penchant for each squad to play close games, this should be another barn-burner between the division rivals.
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Over 26.5 2H Points (-120) at Caesars Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
With these two teams’ tendencies to remain aggressive throughout and the likelihood of a close game, I think there’s a good chance each squad is throwing and keeping a brisk pace offensively late into the contest.
Additionally, it’s worth noting the Lions have averaged the third-most second-half points per home game (14.3), while the Vikings are averaging a solid 12.4 points per second-half per road contest, furthering my faith in this prop.
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Vikings vs Lions Props
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