The Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving has been an American tradition since 1935, and the Lions welcome the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings to town for the second year in a row in a Thursday showdown with massive playoff implications.
Sportsbook opened the Lions as 3-point home underdogs with a total of 44.5.
- The favored team is 27-9 SU in the last 36 games in this matchup.
- The Lions are 6-1 SU in their last seven games vs divisional opponents.
- The total has gone UNDER in six of the Vikings’ last seven games on the road against teams with winning records.
This is just the second time since 1979 that the Lions have hosted the same team on Thanksgiving in back-to-back seasons. Detroit beat Minnesota 16-13 a year ago to improve to 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS in the last four meetings between the squads at Ford Field.
Despite an uncertain quarterback situation, Minnesota is playing some fantastic football right now and is riding a six-game winning streak heading into this one. The Vikes defense held one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses to just seven points and 254 yards in their Week 11 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams.
The Lions have won their last four Thanksgiving games and are 37-38-2 all-time on the holiday. If Detroit is going to catch Minnesota in the division, this is a must-win game. Matthew Stafford and company are on a three-game winning streak of their own in the wake of a 27-24 victory over the Chicago Bears in Week 11.
UNDER bettors will be paying close attention to this one due to both teams’ penchant for playing in low-scoring affairs. In the last eight meetings between the Vikings and Lions, the UNDER is 7-1.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Minnesota Vikings opened as 3-point favorites in this one at most sportsbooks tracked here at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 45 at most shops.
OddsShark prediction models picked the Vikings to win this game on Thursday 26-20. Check the picks page or matchup report during the week as factors may cause that prediction to be re-run. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NFL matchups here.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Detroit Lions currently sport a record of 6-4, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 5-4-1 ATS. The Minnesota Vikings are 8-2 and 7-3 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Lions post a 7-3 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Vikings have gone 5-5 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Detroit vs Minnesota injuries news.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 11-rated Lions and the No. 6-ranked Vikings, according to the NFL Power Rankings here at OddsShark.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Detroit's No. 5-ranked offense, averaging 27.1 PPG, against a Vikings defense that ranks No. 4 this week at 17.2 PPG. The Lions aerial game is averaging 257.6 yards per game, more than the Vikings secondary allows through the air, 212.8 YPG per game.
Defensively, the Vikings feature the league's No. 9-rated road run defense, allowing 103.25 yards per game. The Lions, meanwhile, rank No. 30 in rushing offense at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Adam Thielen was good for 123 receiving yards in the Vikings' most recent action, helping his team to a 24-7 victory over the Rams.
The Lions' last action saw them get a 2-TD performance from Matthew Stafford as they handed Chicago a 27-24 loss at Soldier Field.
- Minnesota is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Minnesota is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
- Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
- Detroit is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games
- Detroit is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
- Detroit is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Minnesota at Atlanta, Sunday, December 3
Detroit at Baltimore, Sunday, December 3
