Minnesota Vikings (10-2) vs. Detroit Lions (5-7)
December 11, 2022 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Detroit Lions +1.5 / Minnesota Vikings -1.5; Over/Under: 51.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions meet Sunday in NFL action from Ford Field. Minnesota is 10-2 overall and coming off a win over the Jets. As for Detroit, they’re currently 5-7 on the season. The Lions beat the Jaguars in their last game. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Minnesota went 8-1 over their first nine outings this year, beating the Packers, Lions, Saints, Bears, Dolphins, Cardinals, Commanders and Bills. After a loss to the Cowboys, the Vikings bounced back with a seven-point win over New England.
On Sunday versus the Jets, the Vikings notched another close win. Minnesota went into the break up 20-6 and eventually took the win 27-22. QB Kirk Cousins put up 173 yards and a score, while Dalvin Cook rushed for 86 yards and a TD.
Over on the Detroit side, they were just 1-6 over their first seven this year, falling to the Eagles, Vikings, Seahawks, Patriots, Cowboys and Dolphins. The Lions would then beat the Packers, Bears and Giants before a loss to the Bills.
In Sunday’s matchup versus the Jaguars, the Lions took a 23-6 lead into the break. Detroit scored 17 more points in the second half for a 40-14 blowout win. QB Jared Goff posted 340 yards with two scores, and D’Andre Swift had 62 rush yards and a TD.
The Vikings are 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven overall and 4-1-1 ATS in their last six after a straight-up win. Minnesota is 3-8 ATS versus a team with a losing record.
Meanwhile, the Lions are 5-0 ATS in their last five overall and 4-0 ATS in their last four after an ATS win. Detroit is 7-0 ATS in the last seven versus the NFC North.
PICK: I’m going to stay with Minnesota. The Vikings have been playing close games all season, and they had another one on Sunday versus the Jets. Minnesota posted 287 total yards (128 rushing) in the victory, with 21 first downs, 9-of-18 on third-down tries and zero turnovers.
As for the Lions, they bounced back well from their loss to the Bills with a big win over the Jaguars last weekend. Detroit has looked much better since the start of November and I expect them to hang around for much of the game here. That said, I don’t think they’ll be super close by the end.
