The Detroit Lions, coming off a very disappointing 4-12 season, begin their quest for a return to the playoffs when they host Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings for an NFC North battle Sunday at Ford Field (1 pm ET, Fox).

As of late this week Detroit, which made its first playoff appearance in more than a decade two seasons ago, was favored by five points over the Vikes, who surprised many by making the playoffs last year, and now will try to prove that wasn't a fluke.

The Lions are 8-3 ATS in their past 11 season openers and they opened ass 4.5 point home chalk. In the role as favorite, Detroit plays OVER the total (12-1 past 13 games).

Minnesota has been terrible within the NFC North, going 1-10 SU, 1-9-1 ATS in their past 11 within the division.



View Minnesota vs Detroit Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 2.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked here at OddsShark (including Sportsbook), while the total was hovering around 47 at most shops, including Sportsbook.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Lions at No. 13 and the Vikings at No. 17 heading into this contest. Handicapping models project a 26-20 result in favor of the Vikings.




Minnesota Vikings Trends:
When playing in September are 4-6
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing within the division are 4-6

Detroit Lions Trends:
When playing in September are 4-6
When playing on turf are 2-8
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing within the division are 1-9

A few Vikings at Lions trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Minnesota is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing Detroit
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 6 games at home


Next up:
Minnesota at Chicago, Sunday, September 15
Detroit at Arizona, Sunday, September 15