- Minnesota (5-0) is a 1-point home favorite over Detroit (4-1) in Week 7
- Jared Goff and Sam Darnold have both found success on new clubs after being cast aside by the franchises that drafted them
- Sunday’s NFC North battle kicks off from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN at 1 pm ET
Projected by most to finish last in the NFC North, the Vikings exit their bye week an undefeated 5-0. In Week 7, Minnesota will host Detroit, the team many considered to be the class of the division before the season began. The 4-1 Lions are coming off a 47-9 spanking of the Cowboys, in which they lost star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson for the year.
Before we look at the odds for Sunday’s divisional clash, check out the top betting sites for NFL football and the Best Super Bowl 59 Betting Sites 2024.
Vikings vs Lions
Spread | Money Line | Total Points | |
+1.0 (+105) | +114 | Un 50.0 (-110) | |
-1.0 (-125) | -134 | Ov 50.0 (-110) |
Detroit’s superpowered offense
Jared Goff passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns in Sunday’s 42-9 victory in Dallas. On an apparent mission to embarrass the Cowboys, Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson dialed up one trick play after another. And newly-extended David Montgomery ran it down the defense’s throat, finishing with 80 yards and two TDs.
With Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams firing on all cylinders, Detroit has the NFL’s top scoring offense, averaging 30.2 points per game. On Sunday, they’ll face a Vikings defense allowing the third-fewest points per contest (15.2).
Hutchinson out for year
Just when the Lions were looking like Super Bowl favorites, star defensive end Aidan Hutchison suffered a gruesome leg injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. Detroit has other top notch defenders such as safety Brian Branch and defensive tackle Alim McNeill, but the loss of Hutchinson could prove devastating.
Aaron Glenn’s unit is top ten in points allowed per game (18.2) and top three against the run, limiting opponents to 83.2 rushing yards per contest. In Week 7, they’ll face a Vikings team averaging 27.8 points per game – sixth-best in the league.
Minnesota vs Detroit
Minnesota is a 1-point home underdog on Sunday and the over/under of 50-points suggests there could be fireworks inside U.S. Bank Stadium. While Jared Goff has been red hot over his past two games, Sam Darnold has thrown more TDs (12 vs 8) and fewer interceptions (2 vs 4) than his Week 7 opponent.
The Vikings could welcome tight end TJ Hockenson back to the lineup this week. However, Tuesday’s trade for Cam Akers suggests that starting running back Aaron Jones could miss time with injury. Either way, Minnesota’s offense will revolve around Justin Jefferson, who is averaging 90 yards per game with four TDs in 2024.
Best Bet
In addition to each featuring successful reclamation projects at quarterback, both clubs have two of the best coordinators in the league in Lions OC Ben Johnson and Vikings DC Brian Flores.
Coming off a bye, we like Flores to cook up something special so we’ll take Minnesota to cover (-1) at home and stay undefeated at 6-0.