by Rod Pearson
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2024
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, January 7, 2024
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Vikings +3, Lions -3; Over/Under: 45 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Vikings +3, Lions -3; Over/Under: 45.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Vikings +3, Lions -3; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Vikings: 7-9 (3rd place, NFC North)
Detroit Lions: 11-5 (1st place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Vikings: lost their last game at home against the Green Bay Packers 33-10.
Detroit Lions: lost their last game on the road against the Dallas Cowboys 20-19.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Preview and Analysis
The Vikings are entering this game with a 7-9 record overall and they have a 2-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-6 in their home games, 5-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Green Bay Packers 33-10. Jaren Hall was the starting QB and he completed 5/10 passes for 67 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception before getting benched for Nick Mullens who completed 13/22 passes for 113 yards and 1 TD. Ty Chandler led the team in rushing yards with 40. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 59 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Josh Metellus led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while no one on the defense recorded a sack in that one. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that game.
The Lions are entering this game with an 11-5 record overall and they have a 3-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-2 in their home games, 6-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They lost their last game against the Dallas Cowboys 20-19. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 19/34 passes for 271 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 2 interceptions. David Montgomery led the team in rushing yards with 65 and 1 TD. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 90 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Cameron Sutton led the defense in that game with 10 solo tackles and 0 assisted tackles while Aidan Hutchinson led the defense in sacks with 3. Ifeatu Melifonwu came away with the only interception for them in that game.
Vikings vs Lions Prediction
The current betting odds have the Vikings listed as a 3 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Vikings haven't looked great in their games this season with their 7-9 record overall and they really needed a win at home against the Packers last week to keep their playoff hopes alive which they weren't able to do. They have looked a lot better in their road games all season though with their 5-3 road record and they will be looking to finish the season strong here. Meanwhile, the Lions have looked great in their games this season with their 11-5 record overall, but they also have nothing to play for here since they have locked up the NFC North and the number 1 seed in the NFC has also been locked up already. The Lions have won the NFC North for the 1st time in years and they are going to be more focused on the playoffs at this point in the season so even if they start their starters here, they won't be playing in this entire game. The Vikings don't have much to play for but technically still have a chance to make the playoffs if a lot of things go their way so they will be focused on finishing the season strong and take care of their own business here against a Lions team that could be overlooking them while also resting players. The best way to place a bet here is on the Vikings to cover the spread in this game.
Vikings Lions Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, January 7, 2024 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Vikings 27 Lions 24.
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NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota Vikings: 21-31 ATS after 3 or more consecutive losses against the spread. 17-23 ATS after being outrushed by 100 or more yards last game. 10-4 OVER as a road underdog. 14-5 OVER after allowing 30 points or more in 2 straight games. 22-10 OVER after 3 or more consecutive losses.
Detroit Lions: 34-16 ATS in all games. 17-7 ATS in home games. 12-5 ATS versus division opponents. 17-9 ATS after 1 or more consecutive losses. 13-5 OVER as a favorite. 12-4 OVER in a home game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 20-11 OVER after 1 or more consecutive wins against the spread.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Vikings: C. Reed (G) Ques Sun - Illness. J. Nailor (WR) Ques Sun - Concussion. B. Murphy Jr. (CB) Ques Sun - Knee. J. Roy (DL) Ques Sun - Ankle. T. Jackson (S) Ques Sun - Toe. M. Davenport (LB) Mid Jan - Ankle. T. Dye (LB) Out indefinitely - Wrist. D. Wonnum (LB) I-R - Quadricep. T. Hockenson (TE) I-R - Knee. D. Lowry (DL) I-R - Pectoral. C. Akers (RB) I-R - Achilles. K. Cousins (QB) I-R - Achilles. O. Udoh (G) I-R - Quadricep. J. Lynch (DL) I-R - Knee.
Detroit Lions: C. Gardner-Johnson (DB) Ques Sun - Pectoral. J. Houston (LB) Ques Sun - Ankle. B. Wright (TE) Ques Sun - Hip. J. Williams (WR) Ques Sun - Ankle. A. McNeill (DL) Out indefinitely - Knee. H. Vaitai (G) Out indefinitely - Back. S. Daly (LS) Out indefinitely - Knee. E. Moseley (CB) I-R - Knee. Z. Knight (RB) I-R - Shoulder. M. Nelson (OT) Out indefinitely - Ankle. N. Sudfeld (QB) I-R - Knee. S. Zylstra (TE) I-R - Knee.
Notable Quotes
“I wasn't good enough for us.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s loss against the Packers in their last game.
“I told the offense that we were going down, 1:41 left, we’re going to go down and score and then we’re going to go for 2 and finish this game off. I told them that, and so that’s what we’re doing.” - Dan Campbell after his team’s loss against the Cowboys in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Osborn, K.J.
TE Oliver, Josh
QB Hall, Jaren
RB Mattison, Alexander
FB Ham, C.J.
Detroit Lions
WR Reynolds, Josh
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: J. Dobbs (2464)
Rushing: A. Mattison (676)
Receiving: T. Hockenson (960)
Touchdowns: J. Addison (9)
Detroit Lions
Passing: J. Goff (4255)
Rushing: D. Montgomery (975)
Receiving: A. St. Brown (1371)
Touchdowns: D. Montgomery (12)
Coaches:
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (2nd season)
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (3rd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
