NFL Picks – Vikings Try to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive on Road against Lowly Lions
The Detroit Lions (0-12 SU, 4-8 ATS, 8-3-1 O/U) look like they would have trouble beating one of the nation’s top collegiate teams at this point of their winless season. The Minnesota Vikings (7-5 SU, 5-7 ATS, 8-4 O/U) are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in a hotly-contested NFC North.
Both teams will be gunning for a victory on Sunday when they meet at Ford Field.
The Lions were routed by the Tennessee Titans 47-10 on Sunday, failing to cover the spread for BetUS NFL sports betting buffs as 11-point home underdogs, their 12th straight loss this season and look like they are in danger of becoming the first team in NFL history to go an entire 16-game season with winning once.
Quarterback Daunte Culpepper completed 13 of 26 passes for 134 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the loss.
Detroit allowed Titans running backs LenDale White and Chris Johnson to each top the 100-yard mark.
“We only confirmed what everybody was thinking about us as far as outside of Detroit and in Detroit,” kicker Jason Hanson said. “I know everybody in here feels embarrassed that we did that on national TV.”
“The record doesn’t show it, but I have great belief in myself,” Marinelli insisted.
The Vikings defeated Chicago 34-14 in the BetUS Sportsbook as a 3.5-point home favorite last week as running back Adrian Peterson rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries and quarterback Gus Frerotte completed 16 of 25 passes for 210 yards with a NFL record-tying 99-yard touchdown pass to Bernard Berrian.
“It was the luckiest touchdown I ever had,” Berrian said, adding: “I was actually surprised how open I was.”
Here is a look at tonight’s key betting trends, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Free Pick:
Minnesota is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games on the road
Minnesota is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Detroit’s last 14 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 6 games at home
Detroit is 5-15 ATS in its last 20 games
NFL Odds
No Posted Line Yet
Analysis: Though no line is posted for this matchup, this is a contest that NFL sports betting enthusiasts don’t have to use much guesswork on. The Vikings will win this matchup by a minimum of seven points over the Lions. The fact of the matter is that the Vikings have a solid defense and improving offense while the Lions don’t have much of anything at all.
