Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Picks, Odds & Predictions

• Detroit visits Minnesota for an NFC North showdown on Sunday in NFL Week 3
• The home team is 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings
• Take a look at all the Lions vs Vikings odds and our best bets below

Bettors may remember the last matchup in this series well. If you recall, Detroit got their first win of the season in Week 13 last year, when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings on a last-second touchdown catch by Amon-Ra St Brown.

A year later the Lions will look to do the same in Minnesota. Detroit won a shootout against the Washington Commanders last week, 36-27. While the Vikings were shellacked in Philadelphia on Monday night, losing 24-7 after quarterback Kirk Cousins threw three interceptions. Despite the blowout loss on MNF, Minnesota are 6-point favorites on Sunday.

The first battle between these two divisional foes this season kicks off on Sunday, September 25th at 1 pm. You can catch Detroit vs Minnesota on Fox.

Lions vs Vikings Odds

Odds as of September 23rd at BetMGM

Betting on everybody’s summer love, the Detroit Lions look like a sweet spot here with them listed as +200 underdogs on the moneyline. The Hard Knocks stars are one of the public’s favorite teams to bet on this week in NFL public betting trends, with 75 percent of the handle in the Lions vs Vikings picks coming in on the Lions as of Friday.

Detroit Lions Betting Trends

Through two weeks, the Lions rank 6th in EPA per drive. Running back D’Andre Swift looks explosive on every snap. The former Georgia Bulldog appears as if he could score every time he touches the football. While wide receiver Amon-Ra St Brown has put on a show.

Along with their explosive playmakers, the Lions’ offensive line has been dominant. Jared Goff has been given the time he needs to hit the open man and has looked comfortable in the pocket.

.@Lions @DAndreSwift @amonra_stbrown @WarrenSapp after 2 weeks; the Lions are the ONLY team in the NFL with 3 50+ yard runs. I don’t think it’s an accident. Let’s see if the @vikings can slow the explosions down #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/1hHYlYFv0C

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 21, 2022

On the other side of the ball, the Lions’ defense has been a sieve. Detroit has allowed over 425 offensive yards per game, good for 30th in the league. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit has surrendered 32.5 points per game, next to last in the NFL. Along with all that, the Lions have allowed a touchdown on over 87% of opponents’ red zone possessions through two weeks.

As great as the Lions’ offense has been, their defensive unit has been equally as bad. A back-door cover is entirely possible against a defense that gives up points the way Detroit does.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

After a season-opening victory of the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings looked atrocious on Monday night. Philadelphia dominated the line of scrimmage and bullied the Vikings all night.

Minnesota’s defense simply decided they were going to stay in a static two-high shell all night and got picked apart.

Primetime Kirk Cousins in full effect tonight 😅 @brgridiron

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/akaeXeQ9mG

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 20, 2022

Offensively, Kirk Cousins looked shellshocked by each Eagles blitz. Cousins finished just 4 of 12 for 22 yards when the Eagles sent five or more pass-rushers. He was even worse against man coverage, completing just 3 of 12 passes for 38 yards. Consequently, the Lions’ defense loves to blitz and play a ton of man coverage behind it. Laying six points with Kirk Cousins at the controls is not for the faint of heart.

Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Pick

The over is 8-3-1 in the Vikings’ last dozen home games. On top of that, the over is 8-1 in the Vikings’ last nine following an against the spread loss. Moreover, all four of the Lions’ past four games played have gone over the total. Trust in these two explosive offenses to turn this one into a track meet.

Pick: Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings OVER 52.5 (-110); risk 1 unit