The Detroit Lions (1-1, 0-0 Away) head to face the Minnesota Vikings (1-1, 1-0 Home) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday. The Vikings are six-point favorites, and the total is 52.5. Detroit is coming off a 36-27 win over the Washington Commanders at Ford Field last Sunday. Jared Goff was 20 of 34 for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown ran two times for 68 yards. He added nine receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Minnesota lost 24-7 to the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday. Kirk Cousins threw for 221 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. He added 20 yards on the ground. Adam Thielen had four receptions for 52 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 29-27 win for the Lions in December. Goff threw three touchdowns for Detroit. Cousins tossed two touchdowns for Minnesota.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Lions are averaging 35.5 points per game so far this season, second in the NFL, and they are facing a Vikings defense that has surrendered 15.5 PPG (6th). Meanwhile, Minnesota has scored 15.0 points a game this season, 25th in the league, and Detroit is allowing 32.5 PPG (31st). The Lions rank as one of the league’s top teams in rushing yards per game (186.0, 3rd), while they are 19th in passing yards (235.5). The Vikings are 30th in passing yards allowed per game (296.5) and 24th against the run (137.0).Minnesota is 16th in the league in passing yards per game (249.0) and 21st in rushing (94.0). Detroit’s defense has been most beatable through the air, as the Lions are 28th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (290.0). Against the run, the Lions are 26th (152.0).Detroit has found the end zone on 80% of trips to the red zone so far this season, fourth most in the NFL, averaging 5.0 trips a game (22nd). Minnesota ranks as one of the weakest red zone threats in the league, advancing inside the 20-yard-line only 3.5 times per game (30th) and scoring a touchdown on just 29% of those possessions (28th). Detroit has had trouble defending their own red zone, allowing opponents to find the end zone 88% of the time (30th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through two games, Goff has thrown for six touchdowns (1 INT) and 235.5 yards per game to lead Detroit in passing. D’Andre Swift leads the team in rushing with an average of 100.0 yards a game over two games. He’s also contributed to the aerial attack with 31.0 receiving yards a game. He has one touchdown on the ground. St. Brown is the Lions’ leading receiver with 90.0 yards a game and three TDs. He is averaging 8.5 receptions on 12.0 targets per game. Cousins has three passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 249.0 yards per game through two games to lead Minnesota. In one prior home game this season, he threw for two TDs and 277 yards. Dalvin Cook has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 53.5 yards a game through two games. Justin Jefferson has been a workhorse in the Vikings’ passing game. He has two touchdowns and a 116.0 yard per game average through two appearances. Jefferson is averaging 11.5 targets per game (7.5 receptions).
SportsTips’ NFL Pick:
Minnesota Vikings (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
