by Rod Pearson
Friday, Oct 30, 2026
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, November 1, 2026
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Vikings +3.5, Lions -3.5; Over/Under: 46.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Vikings +3.5, Lions -3.5; Over/Under: 46.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Vikings +3.5, Lions -3.5; Over/Under: 45.5 points
Season Record
Minnesota Vikings: 6-0 (1st place, AFC North)
Detroit Lions: 4-2 (3rd place, AFC North)
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Recent Form
Minnesota Vikings: won their last game at home against the Indianapolis Colts 16-10.
Detroit Lions: won their last game at home against the Green Bay Packers 20-17.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Preview and Analysis
The Vikings are entering this game with a 6-0 record overall and they have a 2-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 3-0 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the Indianapolis Colts 16-10. Kyler Murray was the starting QB and he completed 14/24 passes for 150 passing yards, 1 touchdown, and 0 interceptions. Jordan Mason led the team in rushing yards with 68. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 44 receiving yards on 4 receptions. Blake Cashman led the defense in that game with 12 solo tackles while Blake Cashman led the defense in sacks with 2. Harrison Smith came away with the only interception for them in that one.
The Lions are entering this game with a 4-2 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 3-0 in their home games, 1-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Green Bay Packers 20-17. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 22/32 passes for 303 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs led the team in rushing yards with 116. Amon-Ra St. Brown led the receivers with 153 receiving yards on 9 receptions. Jack Campbell led the defense in that game with 11 solo tackles while Aidan Hutchinson led the defense in sacks with 1. Brian Branch came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Vikings vs Lions Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lions listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions have looked good in their games this season with their 4-2 record overall, but that record has them right near the bottom of the NFC North. They have looked great on their home field though with their 3-0 home record this season. Meanwhile, the Vikings have looked great in their games this season with their 6-0 record overall which has them right at the top of the NFC North. They have been a good road team too with their 3-0 road record this year. The Vikings are the last undefeated team left in the NFL this season and they have been winning their games with great defense. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL that hasn't been giving up many points at all, but they also have one of the worst offenses in the league. Kyler Murray hasn't really worked in this offense yet and they are coming off a 16-10 win over the Colts in their last one, but they once again won a game without even putting up 20 points. The Lions are the opposite as they have one of the best offenses in the NFL, but their defense has been an issue for years. They are coming off a 20-17 win over the Packers in their last one and they have been rolling in their games lately. Their defense has also been getting healthier and they have improved a lot from where they were last season. The Vikings defense is going to give the Lions trouble here, but the Lions also have an abundance of weapons to counter that and the lack of offense for the Vikings is going to be the biggest factor on the road here. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lions to cover the spread in this game.
Vikings Lions Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, November 1, 2026 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Lions 20 Vikings 13.
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NFL Betting Trends
Minnesota Vikings: 11-6 ATS in road games. 17-9 ATS in all games where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points. 9-4 ATS versus division opponents. 7-3 OVER in a road game where the total is between 42.5 and 49 points.
Detroit Lions: 5-9 ATS off a home win. 1-4 ATS vs. good passing defenses - allowing 5.7 or less passing yards/att. 14-7 OVER as a home favorite. 14-6 OVER in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 45.5. 6-0 OVER off a win against a division rival.
Key Injuries
Minnesota Vikings: G. Bartholomew (TE) Injured - Ankle. A. Jones Sr. (RB) Injured - Knee. B. O'Neill (OT) Injured - Knee. J. Huber (OG) Injured - Knee.
Detroit Lions: D. Wonnum (DL) Injured - Rest. J. Saylors (RB) Injured - Neck. A. Hutchinson (DL) Injured - Rest. A. McNeill (DL) Injured - Rest. P. Sewell (OT) Injured - Rest. A. St. Brown (WR) Injured - Ankle. K. Joseph (S) Injured - Knee. J. Gibbs (RB) Injured - Shoulder. E. Rakestraw Jr. (CB) Injured - Ankle. T. Williams (DL) Injured - Illness.
Notable Quotes
“We feel really comfortable and confident to win football games when we don’t turn it over and we win the field position and boring stuff like that, because we know over the course of 60 minutes what that side can do.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s win against the Colts in their last game.
“I thought we would get it, No. 1. No. 2, I knew we would get the ball back if it didn’t work out.” - Dan Campbell after his team’s win against the Packers in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Jennings, Jauan
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Murray, Kyler
RB Jones Sr., Aaron
FB Bredeson, Max
Detroit Lions
WR TeSlaa, Isaac
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE LaPorta, Sam
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Statistical Leaders
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: Kyler Murray (812)
Rushing: Aaron Jones Sr. (436)
Receiving: Justin Jefferson (302)
Touchdowns: Justin Jefferson (3)
Detroit Lions
Passing: Jared Goff (1,788)
Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs (620)
Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown (525)
Touchdowns: Jahmyr Gibbs (9)
Coaches:
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (5th season)
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (6th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
