Week 9 NFL Winning Predictions: Detroit At Minnesota

Posted by Henry Watkins on Friday,November 4, 2016 9:01, EDT in

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The NFL regular season may consist of only 16 games for each team, but it’s a brutal run that no team goes through without taking some hits along the way. The Minnesota Vikings have had it a little tougher than most this season, losing several key pieces on offense, including starting QB teddy Bridgewater who went down for the year before the season even began. Despite those hits, the Vikings jumped out to a 5-0 start, but are coming into this one having lost back to back games. That two-week run led to offensive coordinator Norv Turner handing in his resignation earlier this week, with Pat Shurmur set to take the reins this weekend. The Vikings are still in good shape atop the NFC North, but they must be feeling the Packers and Lions breathing down their necks. Detroit have been better than a lot of people expected, and could well be better off than their current 4-4 record if they had a little bit more luck going their way. The Vikings will come into this one as a 6-point favorite.

Analyzing The Week 9 NFL Winning Predictions: Lions At Vikings

When: Sunday, November 6 at 1 PM EST
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports GO
NFL Odds: TBA

Why bet on the Detroit Lions

If the Lions do one thing well, it’s their ability to stay in games right to the death. All their 8 games so far this season have been decided by 7 points or less, and you must think that their style of play will see that trend continue. The key to victory here may very well be protecting the football when the offense is on the field. The Vikings defense loves to wreak havoc, and they are always a threat to cause turnovers. The good news for Detroit Lions is that they have not turned the ball over very often this season and have now gone 3 straight games without giving the ball away.

Why bet on the Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have had to rely a little too heavily on their defense at times this season, and while Sam Bradford has done a fine job filling in at QB, he is being asked to perhaps do a little too much because of how badly the run game is struggling. Teams are starting to learn how to beat Minnesota, as they have held the Vikings to a total of just 20 points in the last two games. Minnesota took both games from Detroit last season, but it can be argued that this Lions team might be better than they were this time last year. This is going to be a battle, with points likely at a premium.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

The addition of Pat Shurmur at the offensive coordinator spot may help the Vikings, as he has history with Sam Bradford, and knows how to get the best out of him. I think Minnesota bounce back with a win here, but I like the Lions to cover.