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Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Prediction.
Detroit Lions(4-4SU,4-4ATS) vs.Minnesota Vikings(5-4SU,4-5ATS)
NFL Week 10
Date/Time:Sunday, November 11, 1pm ET
Where:Mall of America Field
TV:FOX
byEvergreen,Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread:Det -2/MIN +2
Over/Under Total:47
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It is Week 10 in the NFL season, the heart of the schedule, and typically the time when division opponents square off with playoff positions on the line.Two NFC North foes trade blows this Sunday when the Detroit Lions head to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Vikings.The Lions are on a bit of a run, winning three of their last four games after a 1-3 start and while the division probably belongs to either the Bears or Packers, Detroit has hopes of a Wildcard berth.The Vikings are eyeing the playoffs as well at 5-4 but they are trending in the opposite direction after dropping three of their last four games.Tough games lie ahead for both teams in the coming weeks so both will be eager to get a W in this one.
This game is about as close as it gets from a point spread perspective as the Lions are most commonly listed as a two point favorite at the majority of online betting sites but the earliest bettors found this game as a pick-em and one points lines are out there as well.If this game were held just a couple of weeks ago, Im sure it would be the Vikings that would have been smallish favorites at home so this game will see plenty of action on both sides of the line.
Much of Detroits early struggles were pinned on the spotty play of Matthew Stafford.Injuries and ineffectiveness in the running game put a lot of pressure on Stafford and the passing game during the early part of the schedule and the Lions became mistake-prone in those losses.In recent wins against Philly, Seattle and Jacksonville, the running game has moved the ball at times and Stafford has been more efficient and limited the turnovers.The Lions defense has improved, mostly because it had to, and has done a good job in slowing teams through the air, limiting the opposition to just 214 passing yards on average.The Lions still give up almost 24 points per game but they are doing enough on defense to allow the offense to stay balanced.
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Minnesota got out early and was one of the surprise teams to start the year but the hopes are starting to fade after recent defeats that have featured some poor efforts.Christian Ponder seemed to have taken a step forward in his progression as an NFL signal caller but has looked lost of late, and had one of his worst performances last week against Seattle when he managed just 63 passing yards on just 11 completions.The Vikings defense that looked very stout in early action has begun to give up significant yards and points and that has put too much pressure on an offense that has just Adrian Peterson and Percy Harvin as playmakers.Watch Harvins status for Sunday as he is questionable with an ankle injury suffered last week.
These two teams met in late September this year in Detroit with the Vikings getting a 20-13 win in what turned out to be a pretty ugly game overall.Minnesota controlled the tempo throughout, giving up just 55 rushing yards and holding Stafford without a passing touchdown.The Vikings had a hard time putting up offense themselves, passing for just 111 yards but the special teams came through with a punt and kickoff return for touchdowns.I would expect a better offensive output in this one, especially from the Lions and the Vikings will probably be handing it Adrian Peterson as much as possible, especially after AP went for 182 yards and 2 scores against a solid Seattle defense last week.
That matchup, Peterson versus the Lions defense, is where this game hinges.Detroit is 14thin run stopping, allowing 106 yards per game but Peterson leads the fifth best rushing attack and the Vikings average 145 yards on the ground.If Peterson finds success early, Ponder will be able to hit on play-action and stay ahead of the chains but it will be trouble for the Vikings if the Lions can get them in obvious throwing situations.Detroit is solid in the secondary, ranking 8thin pass yards allowed and the Lion defensive line is poised to have a big game pressuring Ponder with the likes of Avril, Vanden Bosch and Suh.
There really is no replacing a player like Harvin and his absence would be a killer for Minnesota should he not suit up on Sunday.Even with him in the lineup, it looks like Detroit is just hitting its stride while the Vikes are searching for anything that works.Mikel Leshoures play out of the backfield and Calvin Johnsons potential to dominate a game have the Minnesota defense at a disadvantage and a confident Matthew Stafford finds success on the way to another Lion victory on Sunday.Home dogs are always a trendy pick and make a tempting wager but Detroit comes out with a 27-17 win.
EvergreensPick to Cover the Point Spread: DetroitLions plus the points.
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