NFL Sportsbook – Disappointing Teams Close out Season – Minnesota vs. Detroit

The NFL Sportsbook will get its final chance to establish Betting Lines for the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions for their upcoming game on Sunday.

While the Lions have done some good things this season, The Vikings head into the off season with more questions than answers.

Minnesota vikings (6-9) vs. Detroit lions (5-10)

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Sunday, January 2, 1:00 PM ET

Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Broadcast: FOX

NFL Sportsbook Lines:

Minnesota: +3 (+105)

Detroit: -3 (-125)

Moneyline: Minnesota +160: Detroit -190

Total: 43 points

The NFL Sportsbook has instilled the Vikings as three point underdogs despite an impressive road win on Tuesday night and despite the chance that Brett Favre has a chance to play in the Vikings finale.

The Minnesota Vikings looked good with Joe Webb at pivot on Tuesday. The 25th ranked passing game didn’t light the world on fire but they were efficient and they provided when absolutely necessary.

What the presence of Joe Webb did for the Vikings was to make them lean on Adrian Peterson and the 8th ranked running game. Peterson was one of only two running backs this season to hang 100 yards rushing on the Philadelphia Eagles. Expect another heavy dose of AP this weekend as the Vikings try to close out the season in style. However, Adrian Peterson and Sidney Rice are nicked and questionable for Week 17.

The Minnesota Vikings defense had arguable their most complete game in Week 16 and will be looking to build off their strong effort against the Lions. The 10 ranked passing defense and the 8th ranked run defense will be all systems go on Sunday and should give the Vikings a very good chance to win their finale.

The Detroit Lions are NFL football betting favorites this weekend with good reason. They went on the road and gained an impressive victory over the Miami Dolphins last week and have been competitive in most games this season. However, Calvin Johnson is questionable with a leg injury this weekend. Without Johnson, the Lions stock sinks dramatically.
The Lions passing game hasn’t missed a beat with Shawn Hill under center. They are just outside the Top 10 in passing but have been near the bottom of the league in rushing all season long. But against a fired up and confident defense, I expect the Detroit offense to struggle.

Defensively, the Detroit Lions look like a team on the rise. Although the numbers don’t support this fact, there is no denying that the Lions pass rush is among the best in the league. The 24th ranked run defense will have their hands full, assuming that Adrian Peterson plays.

NFL Sportsbook Outlook:

The Minnesota Vikings are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall. They are 2-9 SU in their last 11 games on the road and are 2-4 ATS in their last six away from home. The Vikings are 5-0 SU in their last five games against Detroit and are 7-1 SU in their last eight trips to Ford Field.

The Detroit Lions are 5-15 SU in their last 21 games overall and are 5-18 SU in their last 23 games at home. Against Minnesota, the Lions are 0-5 SU in their last five games, are 2-7-2 ATS in their last 11, 1-7 SU in their last eight at home and 1-3-1 ATS in their last five at home.

The Minnesota Vikings will likely have the best player on the field Sunday – Adrian Peterson. I think that he will be the difference maker on offense for the Vikings. The Minnesota defense finally showed up and stifled the most dangerous offense in the NFL last week. The Lions are certainly inferior to the Eagles. This may be a low scoring clock control game. I like the Vikes to dumb the game plan down and let AP dominate.

NFL Sportsbook Pick: Minnesota Vikings +3

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