Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Point Spread Picks

Detroit has gone OVER five games in a row while allowing 31.6 points per game. Pittsburgh lit up the Lions' defense for 481 total yards, including 230 on the ground, as the Steelers won 29-24 and the game sailed OVER a posted high total. The Lions have scored 32.0 points per game in that five-game span, but the defense, primarily the depleted secondary, has been the culprit. Seven of the past eight meetings with Minnesota have gone OVER, and the Vikings are 6-0 OVER their past six Week 17 games. The Vikings have gone OVER five consecutive Thursday games, and they are 4-0 OVER their past four games after yielding fewer than 15 points in their previous game. Detroit is on a 6-1 OVER run against NFC opponents, and the Lions are 6-0 OVER after totaling fewer than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Take the OVER. 

Combine the Lions (-475) and the Rams (-1010) into a 2-team parlay at -303 odds.

This is a huge posted total based on last week's results, but Detroit's defense will be ready as the teams vie for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Minnesota's defense is underrated, as the Vikings have allowed only 18.2 points per game in their past nine games. The Vikings are 6-0 UNDER after totaling more than 250 yards passing their previous game. The Minnesota defense is No. 2 in the NFL, yielding only 88.1 rushing yards per game, and the Vikings are No. 16, allowing 331.8 total yards. The Lions are No. 3 defensively, allowing 97.0 rushing yards per contest. Everyone expects a shootout, but the teams will be slightly more conservative with so much on the line. Take the UNDER.

The Minnesota Vikings must have had a lovely week off, as they spent their bye week glowing in their 5-0 record on the season. The Vikings have been on the right side of close games with three of their five wins coming by six points or less. The Detroit Lios have really gotten the offense going and many believe they are the top or one of the top offenses in the league. The Lions have scored 40 or more points in each of their last two games, and an NFL team off of two straight 40 point games are 56-19 SU. The Lions were bad for so long, they still seem to get the short end of betting lines, but they have settled that dispute on the field. Detroit is 18-6 ATS in their last 24 games as an underdog. Make the play on Detroit.

Detroit coach Dan Campbell says he will play the starters even though the Lions are almost sure to have the No. 3 seed in the NFC. In order to move up to No.2 they would have to win and hope Philadelphia and Dallas both lose. Minnesota can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by Green Bay, Seattle and Tampa Bay OR a win plus losses by Green Bay, Seattle and New Orleans. Even if Detroit plays all its starters, the Lions still are in a big letdown spot after their very controversial loss at Dallas and it will be difficult to repeat that performance in consecutive weeks especially with the division wrapped up. Minnesota is on its fourth quarterback this season and last week Jaren Hall threw an interception and lost a fumble as the Vikings lost 33-10 to Green Bay. Nick Mullens will be back under center for this game. Minnesota is 6-0-3 ATS its past nine road games and 20-5-2 ATS after totaling fewer than 250 yards of offense its previous game. Also, the Vikings are 5-0 ATS their past five games after a double-digit loss at home. Minnesota has the motivational edge in this matchup and take the Vikings as a Max Play.