Lions-Vikings Preview

If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Sunday when the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings meet at The Metrodome. Oddsmakers currently have the Vikings listed as 13½-point favorites versus the Lions, while the game's total is sitting at 45. The Lions lost to Chicago 34-7 as a 3-point underdog in Week 5. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (45.5). Jon Kitna passed for 74 yards before betting benched for Detroit, while Kevin Smith rushed for 31 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Ryan Longwell kicked a late field goal on Monday Night Football in Week 5 to give the Vikings a 30-27 win over the Saints. The Saints had been pegged as 3-point home favorites in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (47). Current streak: Detroit has lost 4 straight games. Team records: Detroit: 0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS Minnesota: 2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS Detroit most recently: When playing in October are 4-6 When playing on turf are 3-7 After being outgained are 3-7 When playing within the division are 3-7 Minnesota most recently: When playing in October are 5-5 When playing on turf are 7-3 After being outgained are 6-4 When playing within the division are 4-6 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 6 games on the road The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing Minnesota The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit's last 7 games when playing on the road against Minnesota The total has gone OVER in 7 of Detroit's last 10 games Minnesota is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Detroit Minnesota is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing Detroit Minnesota is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit Minnesota is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home Next up: Detroit at Houston, Sunday, October 19 Minnesota at Chicago, Sunday, October 19