The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, two of the top teams in the NFC, square off in a highly anticipated divisional matchup this Sunday. Here’s our preview, which includes a prediction, using the best NFL odds from the top sportsbooks.
NFL Pick: Lions ML (+110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Lions vs. Vikings
Sunday, October 20, 2024 – 01:00 PM ET at U.S. Bank Stadium
Detroit Dominates Dallas
Jared Goff was on fire last week, throwing for 315 yards and three touchdowns as the Lions dismantled the Dallas Cowboys 47-9. David Montgomery also contributed two rushing touchdowns in the blowout win, marking the Cowboys’ fourth consecutive lopsided home loss.
“I thought we really played the most complete game we’ve probably played here in a long time, if not the most since we’ve been here,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We applied pressure, we finally got a multiple takeaway game. We’ve talked about it. These things will come in bunches.”
Despite the convincing victory, the Lions suffered a significant loss when Aidan Hutchinson, their star pass rusher, went down with a serious left tibia injury in the third quarter. Hutchinson’s injury, which occurred during a sack of Dak Prescott, is expected to require surgery, and he won’t be available for the foreseeable future.
“He’s a guy who’s part of the heartbeat of this team, he’s a leader, does everything right,” Goff said. “And to have him go down like that, and be visibly upset is tough for all of us. But knowing him, he will be fine. He will bounce back.”
Minnesota Extends Their Winning Streak
The Minnesota Vikings are coming off a hard-fought 23-17 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 6.
Minnesota is the last undefeated team in the NFC. Sam Darnold struggled in the win, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards, throwing one interception and losing a fumble. Despite his shaky performance, Justin Jefferson stepped up with six receptions for 92 yards, keeping the Vikings on top.
Minnesota has managed to maintain their winning streak, but they’ve had their share of challenges. Running back Aaron Jones, who exited the game against the Jets with a hip injury, is listed as week-to-week. His absence could have a huge impact, especially with backup running back Ty Chandler underperforming, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell faces the difficult task of finding a way to maintain a balanced offense without Jones.
“All the early information that we’ve got so far, it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury,” O’Connell explained. It’s unclear if Jones will be available against the Lions.
Keys to the Game
Goff is fresh off a stellar performance and will look to exploit any weaknesses in Minnesota’s secondary. With 315 passing yards and three touchdowns last week, Goff’s precision and decision-making will be key against a Vikings defense that’s shown some vulnerabilities. Minnesota needs to generate consistent pressure on Goff, or they risk being picked apart by the Lions’ aerial attack.
Losing Aidan Hutchinson is a blow to the Lions’ pass rush, and it remains to be seen how they’ll adjust. Darnold, who has been inconsistent, could have more time in the pocket without the pressure Hutchinson typically brings. However, Darnold’s shaky performance against the Jets—where he completed only 45% of his passes and turned the ball over twice—offers Detroit’s defense a chance to capitalize if they can apply even modest pressure.
With Aaron Jones sidelined, Minnesota’s running game looks fragile. Ty Chandler hasn’t lived up to expectations, and if the Vikings can’t establish a run game, Darnold will be forced to take on more responsibility. This could spell trouble for Minnesota, as Detroit’s defense, even without Hutchinson, will likely focus on making the Vikings one-dimensional.
Turnovers could tilt the balance in this matchup. Both Goff and Darnold have shown the ability to move the ball, but they can also be turnover-prone. The team that wins the turnover battle will likely have a significant edge. If Detroit’s defense can force Darnold into a couple of costly mistakes, it could be the deciding factor.
On the other hand, Minnesota’s defense has shown flashes of opportunism, and a key turnover or special teams play could swing the game in their favor.
NFL Pick
Expect a closely contested game with both teams trading blows early on. The Lions’ offense, even with the loss of Hutchinson, should keep them competitive throughout. On the other side, Minnesota’s injury concerns—especially in the run game—could limit their ability to control the tempo. Goff’s ability to make key throws and Detroit’s knack for forcing turnovers may give the Lions the edge.
NFL Pick: Lions ML (+110) at Bet365
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