Here are the odds for the NFC North Showdown:
NFC North Showdown: Vikings, Lions Battle for No. 1 Seed and Bye
It’s a winner-take-all game as the winner of the Vikings-Lions game claims the NFC North, earns a first-round bye throughout the playoffs, while the loser drops to the No. 5 seed and has to hit the road in the wild-card round. How does this clash shape up? Let’s break it down as we get to see the first regular season game in NFL history between two 13-win teams.
Minnesota Vikings
People have underestimated the Vikings all season, and all they have done is win games. They’ve won nine straight and haven’t dropped a game since October 24th to the Rams. Sam Darnold is playing like an MVP, leading this offense. Since that loss, he’s thrown 21 TDs and has averaged 26.4 PPG for the Vikings this season. Darnold completed 33 of his 43 passes for 377 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception against the Packers last week. Darnold’s weapons have been elite, as Justin Jefferson has fought through double teams all season and is second in receiving yards with 1,479. The offense is ranked 9th, while the defense is ranked 4th, allowing just 18.8 PPG. But where Minnesota struggles is defending the pass, ranking 28th overall, allowing 243.6 YPG. That isn’t a good thing against the highest-scoring team in the NFL.
Detroit Lions
As mentioned, the Lions can score, averaging a league-high 33.3 PPG and coming off a Monday night performance where they hung 40 on the Niners. Quarterback Brock Purdy was 26 of 34 for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs finished with 18 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown, while four receivers finished with at least four receptions. But on the other side of the ball, the Lions are having trouble. Sure, many defenders have been ravaged by injuries, but they have given up 34, 42, and 31 points in three of their last four games. The passing defense is the second-worst unit in the league, giving up 250.4 YPG, and faces a very good pass-happy Vikings team. Detroit has no problem getting into a shootout, but at some point, they’ll have to make some stops against Minnesota.
Prediction: OVER 58
This number seems very high for what is essentially a high-stakes playoff game. But how can you not assume both teams can hit the 30-point mark, considering the gaping holes in their defenses? Minnesota has averaged 31.5 PPG in the last four games, while the Lions are at 37.5 PPG in that span. They combined for 60 points earlier this season, so a repeat isn’t out of the question. Shootout in Motown.
Best Player Props
Justin Jefferson & Amon-Ra St. Brown: Anytime TD
They are two of the top-4 receivers in the NFL. Justin Jefferson is No. 2 with 1,479 yards, while Amon-Ra St. Brown is fourth with 1,186 yards. Jefferson has 10 TDs this season, with half of those coming in the last four games, while Amon-Ra St. Brown has found paydirt 12 times, including in each of the last three games.
Game Betting Odds
- Vikings +2.5
- Lions -2.5
- Total: 58
- Moneyline: Minnesota +125, Detroit -145
Recent Betting Trends
- The Vikings are 11-4-1 against the spread
- The Lions are 11-5-0 against the spread
- Detroit is 9-7-0 to the OVER
- Minnesota is 7-9-0 to the OVER