| Minnesota Vikings (3-4) at Detroit Lions (5-2) | |||
| Game Details: Sunday, November 2, 1 p.m. EST | |||
| Location: Ford Field | |||
| Where to Watch: FOX |
Week 9 Matchup
The Detroit Lions welcome the Minnesota Vikings to Ford Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, and there’s plenty on the line for both NFC North rivals. Detroit comes into this matchup well-rested after their bye week, sitting at 5-2 and just a half-game behind Green Bay in the division.
For Minnesota, this game feels like a must-win. At 3-4 and having lost three of their last four games, the Vikings are watching their season teeter on the edge. Their most recent defeat came in brutal fashion—a 37-10 drubbing by the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football that exposed serious vulnerabilities on both sides of the ball.
Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Vikings | +8.5 | +350 | Over 47.5 |
| Detroit Lions | -8.5 | -450 | Under 47.5 |
** Odds Subject to Change – Courtesy of FanDuel**
Tale of The Tape
| Minnesota Vikings | Team Stats – Avg Per Game | Detroit Lions |
|---|---|---|
| 22.1 | Points Per Game | 30.7 |
| 202.7 | Passing Yards Per Game | 223.6 |
| 93.9 | Rushing Yards Per Game | 133.7 |
| 23.1 | Opponents Points Per Game Allowed | 21.6 |
| 188 | Opponents Pass Yards Allowed | 212.3 |
| 130.4 | Opponents Rush Yards Allowed | 87.7 |
Statistics from various online sources and courtesy of ESPN and FOX Sports
Key Details
Minnesota Vikings
The storyline everyone’s watching is the return of Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who’s back under center after missing all games after week two with a high ankle sprain. This homecoming carries extra weight for McCarthy, who won a national championship at Michigan and went 27-1 as a starter for the Wolverines. Now he’s returning to his home state to face a Lions defense that’s been suffocating opponents all season.
Minnesota’s season has been defined by inconsistency and injuries at the most critical positions. McCarthy’s return provides a glimmer of hope, but he faces an uphill battle. Over his first two starts this season, the young quarterback threw three interceptions, took nine sacks, and lost a fumble—growing pains for a player transitioning from college to the NFL. Making matters worse, veteran backup Carson Wentz is having season-ending shoulder surgery, leaving the Vikings thin at the position.
Detroit Lions
Detroit is playing with the confidence of a championship contender. At 5-2 and trailing only Kansas City in some power rankings, the Lions have established themselves as one of the most complete teams in the NFC.
Running back Jahmyr Gibbs posted a career-high 218 yards from scrimmage against Tampa Bay, including a career-long 78-yard touchdown run. The offensive line has also found its groove, with Graham Glasgow moving to center and young players like sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany stepping up.
On defense, Aidan Hutchinson just signed a four-year, $180 million contract with $141 million guaranteed—a massive investment that reflects his importance to this unit. Safety Brian Branch returns from a one-game suspension, adding another weapon to a defense that ranks eighth overall and fourth against the run.
Prediction
Many games this week have had college-like point spreads. After many blowouts last week, apparently Vegas thinks a trend was started. It seems unlikely the Vikings will win. It seems unlikely McCarthy will be effective. Yes, even with that summary, the Vikings will find a way to keep it competitive.
