The last time the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions met, quarterback Matthew Stafford nearly had to be rushed to the nearest trauma ward due to the punishment he received from the Vikings’ defense. Minnesota is currently in the playoff picture in the NFC, but a loss against the Lions could be a huge punch in the gut for their chances to lock up a spot in the postseason.
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Betting Preview for the Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions NFL Season Week 16 Game on December 23, 2018
Where: Ford Field, Detroit
When: Sunday, December 23, 2018, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Vikings (+7) vs Detroit Lions (-6) – view all 2018 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Minnesota Vikings (7-6-1)
Minnesota finally stopped a two-game losing skid by beating the Miami Dolphins last Sunday, 41-17. The 41 points the Vikings put up in that game came in the first game of Kevin Stefanski as the team’s offensive coordinator after the firing of John DeFilippo. The effect of the team’s change in the offensive coordinator position was greatly felt by the Vikings, perhaps no better than running back Dalvin Cook, who broke out for 136 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. It’s the first time this season that Cook had more than 89 rushing yards and 13 carries, which showed how dedicated Stefanski is to letting the Viking’ ground attack have bigger role on the offense. That may be the case again in the rematch with the Lions. After all, Cook rushed for 89 yards on 10 carries in a 24-10 home win over the Lions back in Week 9. Not all eyes should be on Cook, though, for the Vikings in this second meeting of two NFC North franchises, as Minnesota’s defense is again looking to make a killing on its side of the ball. Minnesota sacked Matthews Stafford 10 times in Week 9.
The under is 2-0 in the Vikings’ last two road games.
Betting on the Detroit Lions (5-9)
The Lions can now stop worrying about making the playoffs because they’re out of contention. That’s after they got embarrassed in a 14-13 road loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills last Sunday. Matthew Stafford passed for only 208 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions in the Bills game, but the good thing was that he was not sacked at all. That’s a silver ling for the Lions, especially ahead of their rematch with Minnesota and its offensive line that, as mentioned earlier, nearly ended the life of Stafford a several weeks ago. In fact, the Lions’ pass protection seems to have improved of late, having allowed just a sack in the last two games. With rookie running back Kerryon Johnson probably set to miss another game due to a knee injury, the Lions may turn to the pair of Theo Riddick and Zach Zenner for production on the ground. The two combined for 92 rushing yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against the Bills.
The Lions, who are allowing just 230.7 passing yards per contests, are 3-3 ATS in their last six home games.
Writer’s Prediction
Minnesota wins, 28-17.
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