Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup

Read our Lions vs Vikings pick and preview for this NFL pre-season week 7 game in Minneapolis. Check out who we like to win and cover the spread in this regular season NFL matchup.

With the Lions and Vikings both looking to improve their records, this week seven NFC North matchup is set for Sunday, October 20th at 1:00 ET on FOX. The Vikings are favored at -133 on the money line and -2.5 on the point spread. The game, being played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, has an over/under line set at 49.5 points.

Lions vs. Vikings Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NFL
Teams: Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Where: Minneapolis at U.S. Bank Stadium
Date: Sunday, October 20th
Betting Odds MIN -2.5, DET +111 | MIN -133 O/U 49.5

Lions Preview:

After a dominant 47-9 win over the Cowboys in week 6, the Lions have now won three straight games, bringing their record to 4-1. They currently have an 86.2% chance of making the playoffs and a 41.4% chance of winning the NFC North. Detroit is ranked 1st in our NFL power rankings heading into week 7.

Against the spread, the Lions are 4-1 this season, covering in three consecutive games. They were favored in all of their matchups, including their 38-point win over Dallas as 3.5-point favorites. The over has hit in two straight Lions games, including week 6, when the teams combined for 56 points, surpassing the 53.5-point line.

Lions Offense Breakdown

Heading into week 7, the Lions' offense ranks 3rd in our power rankings, leading the NFL with 30.2 points per game. They are 3rd in the league in total yards, averaging 416 per game, and 4th in passing yards with 258.2 per game, despite ranking 19th in passing attempts. On the ground, Detroit ranks 3rd in rushing attempts and 4th in rushing yards, with 157.8 per game. They rank 6th in 3rd down conversions but are 24th in red zone conversion percentage, despite being 4th in red zone attempts.

Jared Goff has been on fire recently, posting a passer rating of 153 in week 6, with 315 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Cowboys. In week 4, he went 18/18 for 292 yards, and in week 3, he threw for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jameson Williams led the team in receiving in week 6 with 76 yards, while David Montgomery rushed for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Lions Team Defense

The Lions' defense was dominant in their 47-9 win over the Cowboys, allowing just 53 rushing yards on 17 attempts and forcing three interceptions. Dallas managed only 198 passing yards and converted just 23.1% of their third down attempts. Detroit's defense also came away with four sacks and held the Cowboys to a 56.8% completion rate.

Vikings Preview:

The Vikings head into week 7 against the Lions looking to remain undefeated, with a 5-0 record that includes a 1-0 mark in the NFC North. Minnesota currently sits atop the division and ranks 1st in the NFC. Our projections give the Vikings an 86.2% chance of making the playoffs and a 37.1% chance of winning the division. They rank 8th in our NFL power rankings.

So far, the Vikings have a +12.6 scoring margin and are 5-0 against the spread. They have covered as both favorites (2-0) and underdogs (3-0). Their O/U record is 1-4, with their games averaging 43 points compared to an average line of 44.2.

Vikings Offense Breakdown

Sam Darnold’s passer rating has dropped in each of his last three games, going from 123 in week 4 to 50 in week 5, where he threw for 179 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception against the Jets. Justin Jefferson led the team with 92 receiving yards on 6 catches in week 5. Minnesota has been strong in the first quarter, leading the NFL with an average of 9.6 points.

Heading into week 7, the Vikings are 12th in our offensive power rankings. They rank 5th in the NFL, scoring 27.8 points per game, and are 17th in total yards, averaging 323.2 per game. Minnesota is 15th in the league in red zone conversion percentage at 31.2%.

Vikings Team Defense

The Vikings' defense came up with three interceptions in their 23-17 win over the Jets, despite giving up two passing touchdowns. They held the Jets to just 36 yards rushing on 14 attempts and allowed only 36 yards on the ground. Minnesota's defense also recorded three sacks and held the Jets to a 29.4% conversion rate on third down.

Even though the Jets had 218 passing yards, the Vikings defended the pass well, allowing just 4 yards per attempt. Minnesota also limited the Jets to a 53.7% completion percentage.

Lions vs Vikings Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Detroit has played well in their previous three road games, going 2-1 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 32 points per game while allowing 18. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-0.
The Vikings are 2-1 ATS in their last three home games and 2-1 straight-up.
In their last five games as the betting underdog, the Lions have a straight up record of 2-3 and an ATS mark of 4-1.
Minnesota has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 2-1 SU and 2-1 ATS in their last three games.