Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Preview
FOX has the television coverage for this Vikings vs. Lions matchup. Kickoff takes place at 1:00 on Sunday, December 24th. This week 16 NFL showdown is being played at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis MN.
Check out BetCoco for Minnesota Vikings – Detroit Lions odds
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Last year, the Vikings and Lions split their head-to-head matchups, with each team going 1-1. The over/under under mark in these matchups was 2-0, with the team’s combining to average 54.5 points per contest. When looking at the spread, the Lions went 2-0 in their head-to-head matchups. In these head-to-head matchups, the Lions’ offense averaged 440 yards per game compared to the Vikings at 394.5.
The Lions and Vikings did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Lions have a record of 2-1. The Lions also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 3-0. These games averaged a combined total of 55 points per game leading to an over/under record of 3-0.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Prediction
Heading into week 16,Detroit is in 1st place in the NFC-North, sitting with an overall record of 10-4. In the NFC, they find themsevles in 3rd place. Thus far this season, the Lions hold a record above .500 against the spread, marked at 9-5. Their average scoring margin in the current season is +3.6. The average over/under line for Detroit games this season is 46.5 points. Their over/under record stands at 9-5, with an average margin against the over/under of +4.4.
On the offensive front, the Lions are currently averaging 27.3 points per game, positioning them 5th in the NFL. The Lions are currently 15th in tackles for loss and 14th in sacks on defense. Their opponents are scoring an average of 23.6 points per game and gaining 320.9 yards per contest against them.
In the current season, the Vikings hold an overall record of 7-7, placing them at 2nd in the NFC-North. Their performance consists of a 3-5 record as underdogs and 4-2 when they are favored. The Vikings hold a 7-4-3 record against the spread. As we approach week 16, their scoring margin stands at +1.5 per game. The average over/under line for the Vikings this season is currently 44.4 points. So far, their games have averaged 39.9 points per game, leading to an over/under record of 4-10.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Vikings currently hold an average of 20.7 points per game, which places them at 18th in the NFL. Going up against the Lions’ offense, the Vikings defense has allowed an average of 19.2 points per game. So far this season, they are 15th in quarterback hits and have yielded an average of 316.0 yards per contest.
Even though they are 3 point underdogs, we see the Vikings winning this game by a score of 24-23. After running simulations of the game, the Vikings have a win probability of 51% vs. the Lions.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Betting Tips
- We like the Vikings on the moneyline (+143)
- The Vikings are also our pick on the spread at +3
- Our NFL model projects 47 points, and we suggest taking the under
Minnesota Vikings Injury Report
- Dean Lowry – Pectoral (Out)
- Chris Reed – Illness (Questionable)
- Jordan Hicks – Lower Leg (Questionable)
- Kirk Cousins – Achilles (Out)
- Marcus Davenport – Ankle (Out)
- Brian O’Neill – Ankle (Questionable)
- Cam Akers – Achilles (Out)
- Alexander Mattison – Ankle (Questionable)
- Olisaemeka Udoh – Quad (Out)
- James Lynch – Knee (Out)
- Malik Knowles – Undisclosed (Out)
- Jalen Nailor – Concussion (Questionable)
Detroit Lions Injury Report
- Scott Daly – Knee (Out)
- Nate Sudfeld – Knee (Out)
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai – Back (Out)
- Derrick Barnes – Shoulder (Questionable)
- Matt Nelson – Ankle (Out)
- Emmanuel Moseley – Knee (Out)
- Jason Cabinda – Knee (Out)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson – Pectoral (Out)
- Mohamed Ibrahim – Hip (Out)
- Alim McNeill – Knee (Out)
- Brock Wright – Groin (Questionable)
- Jerry Jacobs – Hamstring (Questionable)
- Shane Zylstra – Knee (Out)
- James Houston – Ankle (Out)
- Hendon Hooker – Knee (Questionable)
- Zonovan Knight – Shoulder (Out)
