Lions vs. Vikings Prediction
Can the Minnesota Vikings avoid a letdown at home this afternoon when they play host to the Detroit Lions at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
451 Detroit Lions at 452 Minnesota Vikings
Sunday, November 4, 2018
1PM ET – U.S. Bank Stadium
TV: FOX
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Vikings are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 49 points. The public betting for this game currently has 75 percent going on the Vikings at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our NFL Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Vikings end win streak
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a 30-20 loss at home to the Saints to snap a 3-game winning streak. The Vikings are now 4-3-1 on the season, 4-3-1 against the spread and 4-4 with the over/under total. They are 3-1-1 against the spread over their last five games.
Minnesota is averaging 24.6 points and 402.3 yards per game on offense this season. They come into this week’s game with some injuries up front, including to left tackle Riley Reiff. He has been dealing with a foot injury but is expected to play today. Minnesota already has a poor run game, with Dalvin Cook continuing to miss time with a hamstring injury. Latavius Murray is the leading rusher on the team with 386 yards and four scores. Cook is also expected to return on Sunday. Kirk Cousins has thrown or 2,521 yards and 16 touchdowns, but has been sacked 23 times. Adam Thielen is having an MVP-type season at receiver. He has 74 catches for 925 yards and six touchdowns. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing just 24.4 points and 357.3 yards per game. The unit has 21 sacks and is led by Danielle Hunter, who has eight sacks.
Lions take a step back
Following an embarrassing 28-14 loss at home to the Seattle Seahawks, the Detroit Lions made some noise this week by trading Golden Tate to the Eagles for a 3rd-round pick. Detroit fell to 3-4 on the season in the loss and they are now 5-2 against the spread and 5-2 with the over. Last week’s loss was Detroit’s first failed cover in six games.
Detroit is still a pretty sound offense even without Tate, as the team averages 24.4 points and 384.9 yards per game. Tate was the leading receiver with 44 catches for 517 yards, but Matthew Stafford has plenty of weapons. Stafford has thrown for 1,912 yards and 14 touchdowns this year and the team has hopes to improve its run game behind rookie Kerryon Johnson. He has rushed for 466 yards this season. Defensively, Detroit is giving up 26.6 points and 390.4 yards per game. Their run defense has really struggled, allowing 144.6 yards per contest. Despite that, the unit has amassed 23 sacks. The Lions could finally get Ezekiel Ansah back at defensive end today. He has been out since Week 1 due to a shoulder injury.
NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota
The Vikings have covered the spread in four of their last five games in November and in 25 of their last 34 following a loss.
Detroit
The Lions are 8-1-1 against the spread in their last 10 games in November and 9-2 against the spread in their last 11 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Prediction:
The Lions appear to be a team that will win some games they shouldn’t and lose some they shouldn’t this year. This could be one of those games. The Vikings have had their letdowns at home already this year. However, I don’t think Detroit matches up very well. Minnesota has capable backs if Cook returns and can attack the middle of the Detroit defense, which struggled to stop Seattle last week. The Lions also will have trouble covering Thielen in the pass game as they are banged up at cornerback. Without Tate, the Lions have one less weapon on offense and there could be some struggles while they find his replacement in the lineup.
NFL Prediction: Minnesota Vikings -5
Related: Lions vs. Vikings Total Prediction