$100 Match Bonus from Bodog!
Open an new account with Bodog and deposit $100 or more for a $100 match bonus!

BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings NFL Lines & Picks

Written by Jimmy Boyd on November 12, 2009

The 1-7 Detroit Lions try to avoid the season sweep when they take on the 7-1 Minnesota Vikings Sunday. Last week, the Lions were crushed by a five interception day by rookie QB Matthew Stafford, falling to the Seahawks 32-20. Minnesota is coming off a bye week. These division rivals last met in Week 2 with Minnesota coming out on top 27-13. That win marked the 14th in the last 15 meetings for the Vikings as they improved to 64-30-2 in the all-time series. NFL odds makers are expecting a blowout Sunday, listing the Minnesota Vikings as a 16.5-point favorite with the total set at 47.

Are you ready to do some NFL betting? Bet your NFL picks at Sportsbook.com where our readers get a special 50% sign up bonus and a $25 free bet!

While the Lions have not come out victorious, they have played the Vikings tough in recent years, falling by four points or less in three of the last five meetings. They won’t have a chance Sunday if Matthew Stafford has another day like he had last week. But they also won’t have a chance if they play it close to the vest as the defense has not been able to get enough stops to warrant a conservative offensive approach. Detroit is going to need a big day from star wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has scored a touchdown in three consecutive games against the Vikings. Johnson didn’t do much last week in his first game back from injury, coming up with just two catches for 27 yards. Those numbers will not result in Detroit pulling off the upset.

Defensively, the Lions are allowing 29.6 points per game this season, but they did a solid job against the Vikings in the season’s first meeting, holding them to just 265 yards. It’s going to take another stout effort for the Lions to hang around and that means that veteran linebackers Larry Foote and Julian Peterson are going to need some help. It is worth noting that the Lions are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 games as an underdog of 10.5 or more. If you like Detroit to keep this one within the number, bet the Lions at +16.5 at Sportsbook.com.

Brett Favre has beaten the Lions six straight times and odds makers are confident he’ll make it seven in a row Sunday. The first time the Vikings played the Lions this season, it was only Favre’s second start with the team and the play calling was very conservative. Since, Favre has proved that Adrian Peterson isn’t the only star in town. He has inspired tons of confidence in the coaching staff and the offense has opened up a lot more because of it. In fact, the offensive unit has been the beacon of consistency, scoring in 29 of 32 quarters this season.

The offense may not even have to do much if ferocious end Jared Allen has the kind of game he is capable of having. Allen is tied for tops in the NFL with 10.5 sacks and he’s setting his sights on rookie Matthew Stafford this week. Stafford has thrown 12 interceptions in just six NFL starts so if Allen can bring the heat, the Vikings should be able to create turnovers. It is worth noting that the Vikings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a bye week. If you like Minnesota to win big Sunday, bet the Vikings at -16.5 at Sportsbook.com.

Get the profits you deserve this Sunday by playing Jimmy Boyd’s NFL expert picks!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: