Minnesota (3-4) will face Detroit (5-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST on Fox. The BetMGM NFL odds have the Lions as favorites by 8 1/2 points. In terms of against-the-spread performance, the Vikings are 3-4 while the Lions are 5-2. The series record shows that the Vikings lead 80-45-2. The last time these teams met was on January 5, 2025, when the Lions defeated the Vikings 31-9 in Detroit.
Last week, the Vikings suffered a loss to the Chargers with a final score of 37-10, while the Lions had a bye week and then beat the Buccaneers 24-9 on October 20.
Offensive and Defensive Rankings
The Vikings' offense is ranked 26th overall, 26th in rushing, 20th in passing, and 18th in scoring. Their defense is ranked 14th overall, 24th in rushing, 8th in passing, and 18th in scoring. On the other hand, the Lions' offense is ranked 8th overall, 7th in rushing, 12th in passing, and 3rd in scoring. Their defense is ranked 8th overall, 4th in rushing, 16th in passing, and 11th in scoring. The turnover differential shows that the Vikings are at minus-4, while the Lions are at plus-6.
Key Players to Watch
For the Vikings, quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a player to watch. The 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft has faced some developmental setbacks due to an ankle sprain that kept him out of the past five games. However, he is expected to return soon, especially since veteran Carson Wentz is set to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. McCarthy has missed 23 of 25 possible regular-season and postseason games in his career due to injuries. He finished his college career at Michigan with a national championship in the 2023 season.
For the Lions, wide receiver Jameson Williams is a key player to watch. Despite being a fourth-year pro, he has been held to two or fewer catches in five of seven games this season. In the last game for the Lions, Williams was targeted twice but didn't manage a catch. However, in the two games where he scored, he had two receptions for 108 yards in a win over Chicago and six catches for 66 yards in a loss at Kansas City. Last season, Williams recorded 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns, which earned him an $83 million, three-year contract.
Key Matchup
One of the key matchups in this game will be the Lions' running back Jahmyr Gibbs against the Vikings' defense. Gibbs is currently seventh in the NFL in rushing yards per game. He has nine touchdowns — eight rushing — in four games against Minnesota. In the two matchups last season, Gibbs accumulated 38 carries for 255 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry, with five scores and nine catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings allowed 207 yards on 43 rushes to the Chargers last week, marking the second time they've given up over 200 yards on the ground after ranking second in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed per game last season.
Key Injuries
On the Vikings' side, several key players are dealing with injuries. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) was sidelined after two series, and right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) didn't play at all against the Chargers. Both were participants in practice on Monday and have had 10 days to recover. Tight end Josh Oliver (foot) left the game with a sprain and won't play this week. Another key blocking contributor, fullback C.J. Ham (hand), was inactive last week. Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) has been practicing but missed the past four games. Center Ryan Kelly (concussion) will miss his fourth straight game and remains out indefinitely. Third cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) left the game against the Chargers and didn't return.
For the Lions, cornerbacks Kerby Joseph (knee), Terrion Arnold (shoulder), and Avonte Maddox (hamstring) missed the previous game. Arnold and Maddox may return this week. Offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) returned against the Bucs after missing two games but is still dealing with a nagging injury.
Series Notes
The Vikings have lost five consecutive games to the Lions, marking their longest losing streak since losing the first five matchups from their inaugural season in 1961 until their first win on November 24, 1963. The Vikings have also dropped four straight games in Detroit, their longest road skid in the series. The only other time they lost more than two in a row in Detroit was during their first three visits from 1961-63.
Stats and Additional Information
McCarthy went 27-1 as a starter at Michigan. He threw three interceptions, took nine sacks, and lost a fumble over his first two starts for the Vikings, winning one and losing one. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson has accumulated 8,034 yards. Only Randy Moss (8,375) and Torry Holt (8,156) had more in their first six seasons, and Jefferson has 10 games left in his. The Vikings have at least two sacks in 11 straight games, the longest active streak in the league and the fourth longest in team history. After leading the NFL with 24 interceptions last season, the Vikings' defense has picked off only three passes this season. The Vikings are 5-8-1 ATS when playing a game on any extended rest under coach Kevin O’Connell, and the Lions are 8-0 ATS against Minnesota with QB Jared Goff. Gibbs had a career-long, 78-yard TD run and a 5-yard run for a score as part of his career-high 218 yards from scrimmage in the win over Tampa Bay. Detroit is coming off its bye week. Gibbs scored four TDs to help Detroit earn a first-round bye and home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs with a 31-9 win over the Vikings in last year's regular-season finale at home. Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has seven receiving TDs, tied for the most in the NFL, and six of those scores were in three home games this season. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $141 million guaranteed on Tuesday. Safety Brian Branch returns from a one-game suspension for throwing a punch and triggering a postgame melee at Kansas City.
Fantasy Tip
The Lions have a lot invested in Williams and will likely look to get him involved early — and more often — than they have so far during his season that has not met expectations.