by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, December 5, 2021
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: CBS
Opening NFL Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Vikings -7, Lions +7; Over/Under: 47 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Vikings -7, Lions +7; Over/Under: 47 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Vikings -7, Lions +7; Over/Under: 46.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Vikings: 5-6 (2nd place, NFC North)
Detroit Lions: 0-10-1 (4th place, NFC North)
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Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Minnesota Vikings: lost on the road on Nov. 28 against the San Francisco 49ers 34-26.
Detroit Lions: lost at home on Nov. 25 against the Chicago Bears 16-14.
Minnesota Vikings Analysis
The Vikings are coming into this game with a 5-6 record overall and they are 2-4 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. This will be their 3rd divisional matchup of the year and they are currently 2-0 in their division games this season. They played the Lions at home earlier in the season and they just snuck away from that game with the win, winning that one 19-17. They have won 2 of their last 3 games but are coming into this one off of a loss in their last game which snapped a 2 game winning streak that they were on. Kirk Cousins played alright in that game as he completed 20/32 passes for 238 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Dalvin Cook led the team in rushing with 39 yards on 10 carries while Alexander Mattison ran in 1 TD on the ground for them in that one. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 83 yards on 4 receptions while Cook had 64 yards on 6 receptions. Adam Thielen caught both touchdown passes for them in that one. Harrison Smith led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 5 assisted ones. D.J. Wonnum and Armon Watts both recorded the only sacks in that game with 1 each while Smith came up with the only interception in that one. They have scored 281 points in their 11 games this season averaging 25.6 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 276 points against them allowing 25.1 PPG. The Vikings’ offense is averaging 381.2 YPG while their defense is allowing 382.9 YPG.
Detroit Lions Analysis
The Lions are coming into this game with a 0-10-1 record overall and they are 0-5 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. This is the 5th divisional matchup on their schedule this year and they are currently 0-4 in their division games this season. They have not won a game all season with their best result coming as a tie against the Steelers. They faced the Vikings earlier in the season and almost won that game on the road 19-17. The Lions have only lost 2 of their last 3 games with 1 tie in there but they are coming into this one on a 2 game losing streak after another loss in their last game. Quarterback Jared Goff was alright in that game but it was not enough to win as he completed 21/25 passes for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns. D'Andre Swift was injured in that game so Jamaal Williams ended up leading the team in rushing with 65 yards on 15 carries. Josh Reynolds led the receivers with 70 yards and 1 touchdown on 3 receptions while T.J. Hockenson had 35 yards on 3 receptions. Williams led the team in receptions with 5 for 18 receiving yards. Dean Marlowe led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 3 assisted ones. Levi Onwuzurike recorded the only sack for them in that game while Amani Oruwariye came up with the only interception in that one. They have scored 174 points in their 11 games this season averaging 15.8 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 289 points against them allowing 26.3 PPG. Their offense is averaging 305.4 YPG while their defense is allowing 376.8 YPG.
Vikings vs Lions Prediction
The Lions are coming into this game as a 7 point underdog with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions almost won their last game against the Bears and were stunted by a walk-off field goal which put the dagger in them. They have had multiple games like that this season where they have been so close to winning like their tie against the Steelers, their loss against the Ravens, and even earlier in the season when they lost to the Vikings it was only by 2 points on a last minute field goal and they were on the road. The Vikings are winning games but they are not really blowing teams out either. The Vikings only have 1 win of their 6 this season that was by more than 1 score and that game was at home. The best bet to place in this game is on the Lions to cover the spread here as they have kept it close with them once already in Minnesota and they have been coming close in their games so they should have a much better chance to win this game here at home.
Vikings Lions Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, December 5, 2021 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Lions 20 Vikings 17.
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NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota Vikings: 79-72 O/U as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 251-241 O/U in all games. 45-38 O/U as a road favorite. 133-114 O/U in road games. 188-186 ATS against conference opponents.
Detroit Lions: 249-226 O/U in all games. 158-155 O/U as an underdog. 62-56 O/U as a home underdog. 128-106 O/U in home games. 182-176 O/U against conference opponents.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Vikings: P. Peterson (CB) Out indefinitely - Illness. D. Cook (RB) day-to-day - Shoulder injury. W. Davis (G) day-to-day - Ankle injury.
Detroit Lions: I. Melifonwu (DB) Prob Sun - Quadricep injury. T. Flowers (DE) Ques Sun - Knee injury. M. Nelson (T) Ques Sun - Ankle injury. D. Swift (RB) Ques Sun - Shoulder injury.
Notable Quotes
"They came with it. We knew that their run game was really good. Very complex, very confusing. They have a lot of people to block and open up for it. It was about eliminating that and we didn't do it." - Erick Kendricks on their loss against the 49ers in their last game.
"First, you have to learn how not to lose." - Jared Goff after their loss against the Bears in their last game on Thanksgiving Thursday.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Vikings
WR Justin Jefferson
WR THIELEN, ADAM
TE Conklin, Tyler
QB COUSINS, KIRK
RB Cook, Dalvin
FB Ham, CJ
Detroit Lions
WR Kalif Raymond
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE Hockenson, TJ
QB Goff, Jared
RB Swift, D'Andre
FB Cabinda, Jason
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: K. Cousins (3013)
Rushing: D. Cook (773)
Receiving: J. Jefferson (1027)
Touchdowns: A. Thielen (10)
Detroit Lions
Passing: J. Goff (2280)
Rushing: D. Swift (555)
Receiving: T. Hockenson (534)
Touchdowns: D. Swift (6)
Coaches:
Minnesota Vikings: Mike Zimmer (8th season)
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (1st season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
