NFL Week 9 Predictions: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings 11/6/16

Lions vs. Vikings Prediction

Will the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions find it difficult to score on one another when they meet up today at 1PM ET?

According to the oddsmakers at BetDSI, Minnesota is favored at home in this game, as the Vikings are getting odds of -6 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 42 points. Minnesota has won two straight over the Lions and the two have hit the under in four of their last five meetings.

Bet on Lions vs. Vikings

Minnesota started the year 5-0, but the Vikings have dropped back-to-back games to fall to 5-2 on the season. They have hit the under in five of seven games this year, mostly due to their high-level defense. Minnesota is holding opponents to just 14.9 points and 318.9 yards per contest. They have 20 sacks as a team and have created 16 turnovers. Lately, the offense has become a big concern for Minnesota, especially up front on the offensive line. The team lost tackle Matt Kalil for the season and haven’t been able to protect Sam Bradford this season. He has been sacked 19 times on the year and the offense is now averaging just 19.9 points and 311.6 yards per contest. The run game has just 503 yards through seven games and Bradford has only passed for 1,442 yards and eight touchdowns. The offense also lost OC Norv Turner this week, who stepped away from the team. There was apparently a disagreement between Turner and head coach Mike Zimmer as to the direction of the offense. It will be interesting to see what adjustments are made on offense going forward.

Detroit is coming off a 20-13 loss at Houston last week to snap a three-game winning streak. The Lions are now 4-4 on the season and 4-4 with the over/under total, hitting the under in their last two games. Detroit continues to deal with injuries, especially on defense. For this game, DT Haloti Ngata (shoulder) CB Darius Slay (hamstring) and DE Ezekiel Ansah (ankle) are all game-time decisions. The Lions are giving up 23.8 points and 382.6 yards per game this season on defense. Despite the injuries, the unit still has 18 sacks this season, as they have a good push up front from the likes of Ansah and Kerry Hyder. Offensively, Detroit is averaging 22.9 points and 354.8 yards per game. The offense is expected to get leading rusher Theo Riddick back. He has missed the past few games with an ankle injury. He has 227 rushing yards and 267 receiving yards. Matthew Stafford has led the offense by throwing for 2,154 yards and 16 touchdowns this season.

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While Minnesota has been great on defense, that have given up 41 points in the last two games and now face an offense that has the potential to move the ball. The Vikings are struggling on offense lately as well, but returning home should help. Playing against a banged-up Lions’ defense should also help. It was a few weeks ago that the Lions gave up 28 points to the Rams. I expect Bradford to have a big game and help put up a big point total, much more than the 42 listed in the odds.

 

NFL WEEK 9 PREDICTION: LIONS/VIKINGS OVER 42