Detroit Lions (0-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-3)
October 10, 2021 1:00 pm EDT
The Line: Minnesota Vikings -7.5 / Detroit Lions +7.5; Over/Under: 49
(Get latest betting odds)
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions square off Sunday afternoon in a week 5 NFL contest at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The Detroit Lions need a win to prevent their first 0-5 start since the 2015 NFL season. The Minnesota Vikings need a win here to rebound from a rough 1-3 record.
The Detroit Lions have lost three straight road games. Jared Goff is completing 68.3 percent of his passes for 1,100 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. TJ Hockenson and D’Andre Swift have combined for 414 receiving yards and three touchdowns while Kalif Raymond has 14 receptions. The Detroit Lions ground game is averaging 101.8 yards per contest, and Jamaal Williams leads the way with 187 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Detroit is allowing 29.8 points and 381.3 yards per game. Alex Anzalone leads the Detroit Lions with 25 tackles, Charles Harris has three sacks and Amani Oruwariye has two interceptions.
The Minnesota Vikings have split their last eight home games. Kirk Cousins is completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 1,121 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception. Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen have combined for 565 receiving yards and seven touchdowns while KJ Osborn has 17 receptions. The Minnesota Vikings ground game is averaging 112.3 yards per contest, and Dalvin Cook leads the way with 226 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Minnesota is allowing 23 points and 389 yards per game. Eric Kendricks leads the Minnesota Vikings with 47 tackles, Danielle Hunter has five sacks and Nick Vigil has one interception.
The Lions are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games. The Vikings are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games and 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The over is 7-3 in Lions last 10 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Vikings last 7 games overall. The Lions are 4-10-2 ATS in their last 16 meetings in Minnesota and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
The Minnesota Vikings are the better team here and should be favored at home, but it’s not like they’re lighting the world on fire, and the offense has had issues finishing drives while the defense cant stop the run. The Lions have issues of their own, but they play hard, compete and three of their first four games have been decided by 10 or less points. I’m not thrilled to back the Lions, but it certainly beats laying more than a touchdown with the Vikings. It’s Lions or pass for me.
