Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Prediction & Preview

The Detroit Lions will hit the road Sunday for an NFC North matchup against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions edged the Vikings, 29-27, in Week 13 last year to notch their first win of the season. They’ll be hoping for a similar result and will believe they can as they’ve had a good start to the season compared to last year.

That said, this is the first game not at Ford Field so they won’t have the support from the home crowd. Plus, the Vikings will be wanting to rebound after a heavy defeat to the Eagles in Week 2.

Lions

Detroit (1-1) has the league’s fourth-ranked offense and averages 405.5 yards an outing. Quarterback Jared Goff has completed 41 of 71 passes for 471 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. The former top overall pick is 2-2 in his career against the Vikings with eight scoring passes and two picks.

D’Andre Swift headlines a ground attack that averages a whopping 7.2 yards per carry and is ranked third with 186 yards a game. Swift has tallied a full 10 yards a rush and has 200 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries. Jamaal Williams has found the end zone twice while posting 81 yards on 23 attempts, and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has a pair of carries for 68 yards.

Brown has been Goff’s favorite target and has caught 17 balls for 180 yards and three scores. Tight end T.J. Hockenson has hauled in seven passes for 64 yards, while Swift, DJ Chark, and Josh Reynolds have each posted a touchdown catch.

The Lions should be able to run the ball against a Vikings defense that has allowed opposing running backs to average 5.3 yards a rush and 137 yards a game. The Philadelphia Eagles torched Minnesota’s run defense for 163 yards in a 24-7 win this past Monday.

Vikings

The Vikings’ pass defense has surrendered 275 yards an outing and four touchdowns to rank near the bottom of the league. The Eagles had four receivers with 69 yards or more in their Week 2 victory.

Minnesota (1-1) has struggled offensively under first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell and has as many field goals as touchdowns this young season. Veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins had a forgettable outing against the Eagles with three interceptions and several passes that should have been picked off. 

Running back Dalvin Cook opened the season with 90 yards against the Green Bay Packers but was limited by the Eagles to 17 yards on six carries. Cook should see more touches against a Detroit run defense that has allowed 5.1 yards and 152 yards a game to enemy running backs.

Two-time Pro Bowl receiver Justin Jefferson has transformed 23 targets into 15 receptions for 232 yards and two touchdowns. The ability of the Lions’ secondary to contain the former LSU standout will play a massive role in the success of Detroit in Sunday’s showdown.

Cook and wideout Adam Thielen have caught seven balls apiece, and pass catchers Johnny Mundt, K.J. Osborn, and Irv Smith Jr. have each tallied five catches.

Vikings vs. Lions Prediction, Picks and Parlay

In a projected high-scoring affair with an over/under of 52.5 points, the Lions’ high-octane offense will be able to outscore the Vikings in a wild shootout. Look for Swift to put up productive numbers and Goff to continue his impressive start to the 2022 season.

Prediction: Detroit 34, Minnesota 31

Moneyline

With the Vikings as favorites at – 250 and the Lions at +210 to get the win, we think the Lions’ Moneyline is worth a shot. Or better, use it in a parlay or same game parlay.

Parlay

Our picks for the Same Game Parlay are Lions Moneyline, over 52.5 points, and for Swift to score a touchdown in the game. The odds for this at BetMGM are +650 (7.50).