The Minnesota Vikings aim for a fourth straight victory at US Bank Stadium on Sunday when they take on the divisional rival Detroit Lions in a Week 4 matchup. The Vikings are coming off a decisive 34-17 win over Tampa Bay in a pick’em last weekend, while the Lions look to rebound from a 30-26 loss to Atlanta as 3-point home underdogs.
Minnesota has racked up 33.7 points per game, covering in three straight home victories by double-digit margins. The Vikings also own the NFL’s second-ranked offense entering Week 4, averaging over 400 total yards per game despite the recent loss of quarterback Sam Bradford to injury, and have seen the point total go OVER in four of five.
The Lions have surrendered 30 or more points in three of their past six outings, and have seen the OVER prevail in four of those contests. Detroit is a meagre 3-6 SU and ATS in its past nine away from Ford Field. Surprisingly, the Detroit defense has limited opponents to 20 or fewer points in six of those games.
Detroit has won and covered in consecutive meetings with the Vikings, including a 22-16 win as 5-point underdogs in their last visit in November 2016, and is 8-5 SU in 13 meetings. However, the Lions have failed to tally consecutive SU wins in Minnesota since 1991, going 5-20 SU and 9-14-2 ATS in 25 road dates since.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game picked a potential 26-20 result in favor of the Vikings. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Minnesota Vikings sit at 2-1 (2-1 ATS) on the season; in comparison, the Detroit Lions are currently 2-1 (2-1 ATS). Looking to bet on the totals? Minnesota is 2-1 OU, and Detroit is 2-1 OU. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Minnesota vs Detroit injuries news.
The Vikings-Lions odds would favor the Vikings if the betting lines were set according to power ranks. Minnesota is rated No. 11 in our latest OddsShark poll, while the Lions sit at No. 19.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Minnesota Vikings' No. 12-ranked offense (24 PPG) against a Detroit Lions defense that ranks No. 15 at 21 PPG. The Vikings passing attack has averaged 285.33 yards per game, more than the Lions give up through the air (249.67 YPG on average).
Defensively, the Detroit Lions feature the league's No. 2-rated road run defense, allowing 62 yards per game. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, rank No. 12 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, the Lions were Week 3 losers coming out on the wrong end of a 30-26 score against Atlanta.
Minnesota comes off a game where it received a 3-TD performance from Case Keenum in defeating the Buccaneers 34-17.
Next Betting Matchups
Detroit home to Carolina, Sunday, October 8
Minnesota at Chicago, Monday, October 9