The Detroit Lions (4-1) and Minnesota Vikings (5-0) will kick off NFL Week 7's Sunday afternoon slate. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on FOX. The game can be streamed live on YouTube TV and other streaming platforms.
The Vikings are consensus 1-point favorites over the Lions on the spread (Vikings -1), with the over/under currently at 50.5 points. Minnesota is -116 on the moneyline to win outright, while Detroit is a slight -105 underdog.
The Lions won 47-9 last week over the Cowboys. Detroit has scored 89 points in its last 2 games. Jared Goff threw for 315 yards and 3 touchdowns last week against Dallas. Minnesota is coming off of its bye week and are one of two undefeated teams remaining in the NFL. Sam Darnold has been excellent, with 11 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 5 games this season.
Let's get into my Lions vs. Vikings predictions and my NFL picks for Sunday Week 7.
Lions vs. Vikings Odds
| Lions Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | -105 |
| Vikings Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1 -110 | 50.5 -110o / -110u | -115 |
- Lions vs. Vikings spread: Vikings -1.5
- Lions vs. Vikings over/under: 50.5 points
- Lions vs. Vikings moneyline: Vikings -116, Lions -105
- Lions vs. Vikings best bet: Lions +1.5
Lions vs. Vikings Picks and Predictions
Prediction
- My pick: Lions +1.5
My Vikings vs. Lions best bet is on the underdog to cover the spread. For all of your NFL bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NFL odds page.
Spread
I'm betting Detroit as a slight road underdog here. This should be a high-scoring game, and I trust Jared Goff more than Sam Darnold when playing indoors. There are also a few trends that have me leaning toward the Lions instead of the undefeated Vikings.
Moneyline
I'm taking the point and a half with Detroit instead of betting the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm projecting this total at 49 points, but I don't see enough of an edge to bet either side.
My pick: Lions +1.5
Lions vs. Vikings NFL Week 7 Preview
It doesn’t make me feel good that the public is on the Lions side of this game, but this team is simply a covering machine. Detroit is 39-17 against the spread (ATS) under Dan Campbell and 8-1 in its last nine games as an underdog.
The Vikings are 5-0 straight-up and ATS. Those teams at home are 40-52 over the last two decades when playing at home.
The Lions are coming off of a blowout win over the Cowboys that came at a cost. Defensive end Aiden Hutchinson broke his leg and is out for the season.
Let’s examine these two teams. The Lions are fourth in offensive DVOA, fourth in defense and eighth on special teams. The Vikings are 18th on offense, first on defense and ninth on special team.
So, the weakest unit in this game is still the Minnesota offense. The Lions have played better defensively but are likely to come back down to earth a little bit without Hutchinson.
In the matchup of quarterbacks, though, I still trust Jared Goff playing indoors more than I do Sam Darnold, even against this Brian Flores defense that has given opposing quarterbacks fits this season.
This Vikings defense has been able to generate pressure all season, but it will face what is arguably the best offensive line in football here. Minnesota will not be able to pressure Goff as it has other QBs this season.
Operating under that assumption, there’s a key edge here. The Vikings are giving up an average of 3.0 yards per pass attempt and -0.79 EPA per dropback when they get pressure on the opposing quarterback, which is very, very impressive. When they don’t get pressure, though, they’re allowing 7.4 yards per pass attempt and opposing offenses are gaining 0.09 ERA per dropback.
If Goff isn’t under pressure and the offensive line keeps him upright, I think the Lions will do well here.
Finally, a referee stat! Clay Martin’s crew will be on this game. In games he has officiated, underdogs are 57-37 (61%) ATS. Road underdogs, more specifically, are 40-17 (70%).
Pick: Lions +1.5
Betting Trends
- 80% of bets and 86% of the money are on the Lions to cover the spread.
- 75% of bets and 80% of the money are on the over.
- 53% of bets and 77% of the money on the moneyline are on the Lions.
How to Watch: Time, Channel, Streaming
| Location: | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| Date: | Sunday, Oct. 20 |
| Kickoff Time: | 1 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FOX / YouTube TV |
Vikings vs. Lions is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET start time, live from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN, on Sunday, Oct. 20. The game is live on FOX and streaming on YouTube TV.
NFL Weather
