NFL: Detroit Lions favoured against Minnesota Vikings, betting details & preview

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are currently leading the NFC North. With only three games remaining on the schedule, the NFC North division crown is still up for grabs. The Lions are in position to win their first NFC North division title in franchise history. The Vikings on the other hand are looking to sneak into the playoffs and salvage a season that has been ruined by injuries.

Game Details

The Detroit Lions will play against the Minnesota Vikings on December 24 in Minnesota for their week 16 game. The Lions are the betting favourites heading into this game on NFL betting sites. They have -154 odds to win on BetMGM. The Vikings are the early underdogs. They have +135 odds to upset the NFC North division leaders. The point spread betting market is at three points. The Lions are -3, and the Vikings are +3. As always, you can bet the over/under total points scored. The over/under for this game is set at 47 points.

The Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are having a strong season. They currently have a 10-4 record, good enough for the top spot in the NFC North. The Lions have had a lot of success this year on the offensive side of the ball. They are currently averaging fifth most points per game this season with 27.3 ppg. Quarterback Jared Goff is putting up numbers as good as almost any other quarterback in the league. He is third in passing yards with 3,727 yards — one spot ahead of Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes — and tied for third in passing touchdowns with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen at 26.

At a glance, the Lions look like a team that can score with the best and beat almost anyone on the right night. One of the biggest concerns about the Lions is whether or not they can run the ball and protect Goff. The Vikings are tied for ninth most sacks this season with 41. They are also fifth in rushing yards allowed per game and seventh in points allowed per game with 19.2. If the Vikings can put Goff on the ground and stuff the run, the Lions will be in for a tough game. They should win this game, the Vikings have the ability to upset the Lions if Goff has a bad game.

 The Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-7 this year despite navigating injuries to quarterback Kirk Cousins and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, their best players. The Vikings are coming off a 27-24 overtime loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Quarterback Nick Mullens showed a natural connection with Jefferson in his first start with the team. Jefferson finished the game with seven catches and 84 yards. Wide receiver Jordan Addison had a strong game. He caught six balls for 111 yards and two touchdowns. This game will probably come down to whether or not the Vikings can replicate this success on offence. 

The Vikings are one of the worst rushing teams in the league, only averaging 98.6 yards per game. And their defence is going up against one of the best offences in the league. For the Vikings to have a shot in this game, Mullens will probably need to get the ball into the hands of his playmakers early and often. Regardless of the quarterback, Jefferson is a proven game changer and should be able to help his other skill position players out by drawing attention. If the Vikings can get the ball to their playmakers and slow Goff down, they will have a decent shot in this game. But it will probably all come down to how well Nick Mullens plays. If he can not give the Vikings decent quarterback play, this will be a tough game to win.