Vikings vs. Lions, 1/3/21 NFL Week 17 Betting Predictions

Vikings vs. Lions Week 17 Prediction

NFC North rivals will meet at Ford Field on Sunday where the Lions will host the Vikings at 1:00 p.m. ET. With both teams eliminated from playoff contention, what’s the best bet in this divisional matchup?

Game Snapshot

117 Minnesota Vikings (-4) at 118 Detroit Lions (+4); o/u 53.5

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, January 3, 2021

Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI

TV: FOX

Minnesota Vikings DFS Spin

Kirk Cousins completed 27-of-41 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' Week 16 loss to the Saints. Cousins was forced into a lot of pass attempts with the Saints running all over the Vikings' banged-up defense. Minnesota never felt in the game, but Cousins was solid throughout nonetheless. He was leaning on Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen heavily heading into this game, but it was second-year TE Irv Smith who popped up for two touchdowns. The Vikings offense was a good unit in 2020. It doesn't necessarily mean Cousins is the long-term answer at quarterback, however. Cousins should be effective against the Lions to close out the season despite being knocked out of the playoffs.

Detroit Lions DFS Spin

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports Matthew Stafford (thumb, ribs, ankle) will start Week 17 against the Vikings. The Lions have nothing to play for, but Stafford is expected to be active after practicing on a limited basis this week. Playing through multiple injuries without Kenny Golladay, there's not much QB2 appeal for Stafford. Stafford has averaged 171 yards with two total touchdowns in his last three injury-shortened starts.

Vikings vs. Lions Betting Prediction

The Vikings are 20-8-3 against the spread in their last 31 meetings with the Lions and are 5-1 against the number in their last six games played in Detroit. The favorite is also a perfect 6-0 against the spread in the last six meetings in this series, while Minnesota is 38-15 at the betting window in its last 53 games coming off a loss.

On the other side, the Lions are just 8-18 against the spread in their last 26 games overall, are 2-5 against the number in their last seven home games and are 7-18 at the betting window in their last 25 games following a loss of more than 14 points.

NFL WEEK 17 BETTING PREDICTION: MINNESOTA VIKINGS -4