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Lions Visit Vikings in Tight NFC North Battle

Divisional bragging rights will be on the line when the Lions and the Vikings meet at U.S. Bank Stadium.

(Photo by Getty Images) Justin Jefferson

Detroit (4-1-0) at Minnesota (5-0-0)

  • When: Oct 20 2024, 1:00 PM
  • Where: U.S. Bank Stadium, U.S. Bank Stadium
  • Where to watch: FOX

Game Odds, Spread, Moneyline & Total

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Moneyline

Detroit Lions   -105
Minnesota Vikings   -115

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Point Spread

Detroit Lions   1.0 (-110)
Minnesota Vikings   -1.0 (-110)

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Total

Over   50.5 (-110)
Under   50.5 (-110)

Key Players:
Detroit: Jared Goff 1330 Yds
Minnesota: Sam Darnold 1111 Yds

Team Stats

Lions   Vikings
4-1 Record 5-0
2-0 Away & Home 3-0
4-1-0 ATS 5-0-0
2-3-0 O/U 1-4-0

Last Matchup:
DET 30-20, January 7th, 2024

Game Preview

The NFC North lead will be up for grabs when the Minnesota Vikings face off against the Detroit Lions on Sunday in Minneapolis.

Minnesota (5-0) is enjoying its best season start since 2016 and enters the game well-rested after a bye. Meanwhile, Detroit (4-1) is riding a three-game winning streak, including a dominant 47-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 13.

Both teams are acutely aware of the significance of this divisional matchup.

“If we want to achieve our goals, it starts in our division,” Vikings safety Josh Metellus said. “Handling our division gives us a strong position for the rest of the season.”

Injuries are affecting both teams ahead of the game.

The Lions suffered a significant blow when defensive leader Aidan Hutchinson broke his left leg during the Dallas game, sidelining him for 4-6 months. Although there’s hope for his return later in the season, his absence is a challenge for Detroit’s defense.

Despite the setback, Lions head coach Dan Campbell emphasized the team’s depth and "next man up" mentality. "We play as a unit, and when someone’s down, the others step up," Campbell said.

Key Lions players such as center Frank Ragnow and offensive tackle Dan Skipper are cleared to play, while cornerback Carlton Davis is listed as questionable. Guard Kevin Zeitler and offensive lineman Christian Mahogany are also questionable or out for the game.

On Minnesota’s side, running back Aaron Jones is questionable with a hamstring injury, which could give more playing time to Ty Chandler. The Vikings bolstered their running game by reacquiring Cam Akers, who played with the team last season and had 147 rushing yards this year with Houston.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson, coming off knee surgery, was limited in practice and remains questionable. Meanwhile, the Vikings have ruled out linebacker Blake Cashman and cornerback Akayleb Evans, but defensive linemen Patrick Jones II and Harrison Phillips could play despite injuries.

Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is looking to rebound from a shaky performance in London against the Jets, where he threw for a season-low 179 yards. His main target, Justin Jefferson, has been dominant with 26 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Detroit’s offense is led by Jared Goff, who has thrown for 1,330 yards and eight touchdowns. His top receiving weapons are Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, while David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs provide a strong ground game.

This is the first of two meetings between these division rivals this season. Detroit swept Minnesota last year, winning both games by 10 points or more.

Sunday’s matchup will play a key role in determining the NFC North’s frontrunner.

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NFL Parlay Picks & Predictions

Final Score: Detroit 30-27
The Pick: Detroit (-105) & Over 50½
A $100 Parlay Bet will return $357

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