Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Odds and Game Pick (2021)

The Minnesota Vikings have dominated this series lately. They have won eight games in a row against the Detroit Lions. Although the Vikings have been dominant in most of these games, the Lions had a different head coach. Those Lions had Matt Stafford leading their offense. This team has Jared Goff leading them. The truth is that the Lions have changed. They have new staff, new players, and the only thing that is the same is that they still struggle to win football games. They are 0-10-1 for a reason, but this team is different than the ones in the past. There have been a couple of close games this season. The last time they played the Vikings, they had one of those close games. They lost 17-19.  Let us review the best betting values in this matchup. 

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Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook

Details

• Opening Lines: Minnesota Vikings -4, Total 46

• Current Lines: Minnesota Vikings -7, Total 46.5

• Last Game: October 10, 2021, Minnesota Vikings 19-17

• Winning Streak: Minnesota Vikings (8)

Overview

The Lions are a different team under Dan Campbell. Their culture is improving, the defense has had good games, and the running game is improving. That shows in their offense. The offense is averaging 111 rushing yards per game. They have struggled to get their passing game going under QB Jared Goff. The key to Lion's keeping games close has been their defense. Their defense has been up and down, but lately, they are a legit defense. That has shown the last three games. The Lion's defense is giving up an average of 15 points per game during those games. Improved defense is the reason that the Lions will keep this game close. 

Minnesota is a better team than their 5-6 record shows. Every game that they have been in has been close. They have played in three overtime games, and the average scoring differential in their games is five points. That means this game will be close. With star running back Dalvin Cook questionable, this game will be closer than expected. The Vikings have had to depend on their offense to win games. Defensively, they are towards the bottom of the NFL, allowing an average of 26 points per game. Their offense is good enough that they will be able to win this game, but their defense is what will make this game close. 

 

Bottom Line

The Minnesota Vikings have a great chance at winning this game. They are consistently scoring points and have the better player at every skills position on offense. The Vikings play to their competition. That is why all of their games are close and determined by an average of five points. They have only beaten an opponent by more than ten points once this season. That is the reason that I am teasing the spread to ten points. Taking the lesser odds to get more betting value is the best play for this game. With how close the Vikings keep their games, this play has the most value in this matchup. Betting value is always a good play. 

Pick:  Teaser: Detroit Lions +10 (-165)

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Cameron Lynch is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Cameron, check out his archive and follow him @captron26.