Joe Gavazzi
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1:00 ET
Bonus Play Detroit Lions -7.5
This NFC North division battle features towel tossing Minnesota, who despite winning their last two games, is just 6-7 SU with no playoff hopes. Vikings are facing a Detroit team who has won two consecutive games, and is trailing Green Bay by a single game for the division lead. At first glance, it would appear this is a live, division, avenging underdog. Detroit won the earlier meeting, 17-3 on October 12th. In that game, Detroit used an overland edge of 100-69 along with a +3 net turnover margin for the win. The Lions’ recent surge has seen them follow up their 34-17 victory on Thanksgiving Day over Chicago, with an identical score of 34-17 last week against Tampa Bay. In that contest, they outrushed the Bucs 113-26, outgained them 407-233, and had a +2 net turnover margin. That makes it 3-0 SU ATS for the Lions on their home field. That type of streak often results in an underperformance for an NFL team playing their third consecutive home game. Meanwhile, with last week’s OT victory against the Jets, the Vikings have covered three straight games (all on their home field). Last week’s win (and cover) vs the Jets came on a pick 6 in OT to cover the number by ½ point. Cannot dismiss the fact that the Jets outrushed the Vikings 168-114. Fundamentally this is a strong matchup for the Lions. With the weak Vikings’ OL leading an offense that averages just 20 PPG and 309 YPG, look for the Lions’ top ranked defense, which allows just 17 PPG, 63/3.0 overland, and only 5.1 defensive yards per play, to rule matters the entire afternoon.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1:00 ET
Bonus Play Detroit Lions -7.5
This NFC North division battle features towel tossing Minnesota, who despite winning their last two games, is just 6-7 SU with no playoff hopes. Vikings are facing a Detroit team who has won two consecutive games, and is trailing Green Bay by a single game for the division lead. At first glance, it would appear this is a live, division, avenging underdog. Detroit won the earlier meeting, 17-3 on October 12th. In that game, Detroit used an overland edge of 100-69 along with a +3 net turnover margin for the win. The Lions’ recent surge has seen them follow up their 34-17 victory on Thanksgiving Day over Chicago, with an identical score of 34-17 last week against Tampa Bay. In that contest, they outrushed the Bucs 113-26, outgained them 407-233, and had a +2 net turnover margin. That makes it 3-0 SU ATS for the Lions on their home field. That type of streak often results in an underperformance for an NFL team playing their third consecutive home game. Meanwhile, with last week’s OT victory against the Jets, the Vikings have covered three straight games (all on their home field). Last week’s win (and cover) vs the Jets came on a pick 6 in OT to cover the number by ½ point. Cannot dismiss the fact that the Jets outrushed the Vikings 168-114. Fundamentally this is a strong matchup for the Lions. With the weak Vikings’ OL leading an offense that averages just 20 PPG and 309 YPG, look for the Lions’ top ranked defense, which allows just 17 PPG, 63/3.0 overland, and only 5.1 defensive yards per play, to rule matters the entire afternoon.