Lions vs. Vikings Total Pick
Will two NFC North rivals have a low-scoring, defensive battle when the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions meet up on Sunday at 1PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, the Vikings are favored at home in this game, as Minnesota is getting odds of -2 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 43 points. Detroit won both meetings last season and the two have hit the under in six of their last seven meetings. Sunday’s game takes place from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will air live on FOX.
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Detroit is coming off a controversial 30-26 loss at home to the Falcons last week to fall to 2-1 on the season. Detroit has hit the over in two of three games, but the under came on the road. The Detroit defense has been pretty solid, allowing just 21 points and 353 yards per game thus far. The unit already has seven interceptions this season with Glover Quin and Darius Slay each picking up two. The Detroit offense is averaging 28.3 points and 323 yards per game. The Lions continue to struggle to produce a steady run game, as Ameer Abdullah has just 163 yards on 46 carries. Matthew Stafford has thrown for 678 yards with seven touchdowns and one interception to lead the offense.
Minnesota is coming off a 34-17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home last week. The Vikings are 2-1 on the season as well and 2-1 with the over. They have hit the over in both home games. Minnesota has been led by its defense once again, allowing just 20.7 points and 350 yards per game. Everson Griffen is leading the defensive unit with four sacks. On offense, Minnesota is averaging 24 points and 409 yards per game. The team has been without Sam Bradford the last two weeks due to a knee injury and he will sit out this weekend as well. Case Keenum has started in his place and thrown for 536 yards with three touchdowns over two games. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are both off to big starts. Each is just under 300 yards receiving while Diggs has four touchdowns. In the backfield, rookie Dalvin Cook has run for 288 yards and one score.
Stafford is a great quarterback, but his lack of a run game keeps the Lions from being a better offense. I think the Minnesota defense will easily stop the Detroit run game and force Stafford into a lot of tough third-down situations. I also see the Detroit defense posing problems for Keenum and Minnesota. The Lions defensive front has been strong against the run, especially early in games. Look for this contest to be another defensive battle.
NFL WEEK 4 PREDICTION: LIONS/VIKINGS UNDER 43