The Vikings have been a toothless underdog in recent years and they have been patsies against divisional foes.

Small wonder the Lions are big favorites on the Week 14 NFL odds menu. Minnesota is 3-17 SU in its past 20 games as an underdog and has lost 9 straight SU within the NFC North (1-7-1 ATS).

However, the Vikings are 7-2 SU in their past 9 visits to Detroit. Granted, those were different Detroit teams. Today, they are 7-2-1 ATS past 10 games as chalk.

Of note, 6 of the past 7 Vikings vs Lions meetings played under the total.



View Minnesota vs Detroit Odds and Stats.



Power Rankings / Prediction:
The power rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Lions rated this week at No. 10 and the Vikings sitting at No. 21. It may or may not play a role in OddsShark score prediction models that turned out a 29-18 result in favor of the Lions this week.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Detroit's No. 4-ranked offense, averaging 27.8 PPG, against a Vikings defense that ranks No. 31 this week at 27.5 PPG. The Lions aerial game is averaging 281.3 yards per game, more than the Vikings secondary allows through the air, 252.2 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Vikings own the league's No. 8-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 103 yards per game when on the road. Detroit, on the other hand, rates No. 13 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

Minnesota was a 35-32 loser in its last match at home against the Broncos. They failed to cover the 2.5–point spread as favorites, while the total score of 67 sent OVER bettors to the payout window. In their last game, the Vikings got 3 passing scores out of Christian Ponder, but lost 35-32 to the Broncos on Sunday at The Metrodome.

The Lions were a 31-17 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Saints. They failed to cover the 8.5–point spread as underdogs, while the total score (48) made winners of UNDER bettors. In their last game, Detroit's aerial attack generated 408 yards but it was the Saints coming away with a 31-17 victory over Detroit at Louisiana Superdome.


Minnesota Vikings Trends:
When playing in December are 4-6
When playing on turf are 1-9
After outgaining opponent are 3-7
When playing within the division are 1-9

Detroit Lions Trends:
When playing in December are 3-7
When playing on turf are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing within the division are 4-6

A few Vikings at Lions trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games when playing Detroit
Minnesota is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Minnesota's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games at home
Detroit is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games


Next up:
Minnesota home to New Orleans, Sunday, December 18
Detroit at Oakland, Sunday, December 18