by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 31, 2025
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, November 2, 2025
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Vikings +8.5, Lions -8.5; Over/Under: 47.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Vikings +8.5, Lions -8.5; Over/Under: 48 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Vikings +8.5, Lions -8.5; Over/Under: 48.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Vikings: 3-4 (4th place, NFC North)
Detroit Lions: 5-2 (2nd place, NFC North)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Vikings: lost their last game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers 37-10.
Detroit Lions: won their last game at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-9.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Preview and Analysis
The Vikings are entering this game with a 3-4 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 1-2 in their home games, 1-1 in their road games, and they are also 1-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Los Angeles Chargers 37-10. Carson Wentz was the starting QB and he completed 15/27 passes for 144 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Zavier Scott led the team in rushing yards with 16. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 74 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Harrison Smith led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Jonathan Greenard and Jonathan Allen each led the defense in sacks with 1. Josh Metellus came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Lions are entering this game with a 5-2 record overall and they have a 1-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 2-2 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 won their last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-9. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 20/29 passes for 241 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing yards with 136 and 2 TDs. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 86 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Erick Hallett led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles while Tyrus Wheat led the defense in sacks with 1.5. Arthur Maulet came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Vikings vs Lions Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lions listed as an 8.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions have looked really good in their games this season with their 5-2 record overall which has them right near the top of the NFC North. They have losses to the Packers and the Chiefs, but they have been rolling in their other games and are off a 24-9 win over the Bucs in their last one. Meanwhile, the Vikings haven't looked great in their games this season with their 3-4 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the NFC North. They are off a 37-10 loss to the Chargers in their last one and they have lost Wentz for the season now. JJ McCarthy should be back for this game, but he doesn't have a ton of experience in the NFL with this being his first playing season and he hasn't looked great in the 2 games he played either. This isn't a soft landing spot for him either, playing one of the best teams in the NFL. The Vikings have the players to be a good team, but they don't have an answer at quarterback yet and that has been their biggest issue all season. Both Wentz and McCarthy have been downgrades from what they had last season in Sam Darnold and that is why they are seeing a lot of regression this year. The Lions are 3-0 in their home games this season with all 3 wins being by double digits, they are going to continue rolling in this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lions to cover the spread in this game.
Vikings Lions Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, November 2, 2025 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Lions 34 Vikings 13.
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NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota Vikings: 1-5 ATS after allowing 30 points or more last game. 5-10 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 3-6 ATS vs. good offensive teams - scoring 24 or more points/game. 7-3 OVER as a road underdog. 6-1 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%).
Detroit Lions: 31-14 ATS in all games. 26-11 ATS as a favorite. 21-10 ATS against conference opponents. 10-3 ATS fter a win by 14 or more points. 17-8 OVER in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 14-7 OVER after playing a game at home.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Vikings: C. Ham (FB) Injured - Hand. B. O'Neill (OT) Injured - Knee. J. Greenard (LB) Injured - Ankle. I. Rodgers (CB) Injured - Shoulder. J. Okudah (CB) Injured - Concussion. J. Oliver (TE) Injured - Foot. A. Van Ginkel (LB) Injured - Neck. C. Darrisaw (OT) Injured - Knee. J. McCarthy (QB) Injured - Ankle.
Detroit Lions: T. Decker (OT) Injured - Shoulder. A. Muhammad (DL) Injured - Hamstring. A. Maddox (CB) Injured - Hamstring. D. Thomas (S) Injured - Forearm. M. Rodriguez (LB) Injured - Knee. K. Joseph (S) Injured - Knee. C. Reynolds (RB) Injured - Hamstring. T. Arnold (CB) Injured - Shoulder. S. Vaki (RB) Injured - Groin.
Notable Quotes
“This is not a bury-the-tape kind of time for our organization. This is a watch it, view it, own it — every coach and every player, and it starts with me. I did not have our team prepared to play.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s loss against the LA Chargers in their last game.
“You felt like this was coming. This has been building.” - Dan Campbell after his team’s win against the Buccaneers in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Nailor, Jalen
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB McCarthy, J.J.
RB Mason, Jordan
FB Ham, C.J.
Detroit Lions
WR Raymond, Kalif
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: Carson Wentz (1,216)
Rushing: Jordan Mason (383)
Receiving: Justin Jefferson (602)
Touchdowns: Jordan Mason (4)
Detroit Lions
Passing: Jared Goff (1,631)
Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs (526)
Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown (538)
Touchdowns: Jahmyr Gibbs (7)
Coaches:
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (4th season)
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (5th 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.
