Back to the division the Vikings go.
Minnesota will break up a five-games-in-six-weeks homestand Sunday with a road trip to Detroit at noon (CT) on FOX.
The Vikings and the Lions have met 122 times, with Minnesota holding an 80-40-2 advantage in the series. The two teams faced off against each other in Week 3 in Minneapolis, with the Vikings rallying from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge the Lions 28-24.
Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 14, 2023.
1 K Greg Joseph
1 K Greg Joseph
2 RB Alexander Mattison
2 RB Alexander Mattison
3 CB Cameron Dantzler
3 Cam Dantzler
4 RB Dalvin Cook
4 RB Dalvin Cook
5 WR Jalen Reagor
7 CB Patrick Peterson
7 CB Patrick Peterson
8 QB Kirk Cousins
8 QB Kirk Cousins
12 QB Nick Mullens
12 QB Nick Mullens
66 P Ryan Wright
17 WR K.J. Osborn
17 WR K.J. Osborn
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
19 WR Adam Thielen
19 WR Adam Thielen
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
24 S Camryn Bynum
24 S Camryn Bynum
25 S Theo Jackson
25 S Theo Jackson
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
26 RB Kene Nwangwu
27 CB Kalon Barnes
27 CB Kalon Barnes
29 CB Kris Boyd
29 CB Kris Boyd
30 FB C.J. Ham
30 FB C.J. Ham
32 RB Ty Chandler
32 RB Ty Chandler
33 LB Brian Asamoah
33 LB Brian Asamoah
39 CB Chandon Sullivan
39 CB Chandon Sullivan
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
43 LB Luiji Vilain
43 OLB Luiji Vilain
44 S Josh Metellus
44 S Josh Metellus
45 LB Troy Dye
45 LB Troy Dye
47 LB William Kwenkeu
47 LB William Kwenkeu
54 LB Eric Kendricks
55 LB Za'Darius Smith
55 OLB Za'Darius Smith
56 C Garrett Bradbury
56 C Garett Bradbury
58 LB Jordan Hicks
58 LB Jordan Hicks
62 G/C Chris Reed
62 G/C Chris Reed
63 T Vederian Lowe
63 T Vederian Lowe
64 T Blake Brandel
64 T Blake Brandel
67 G Ed Ingram
71 T Christian Darrisaw
71 T Christian Darrisaw
72 G Ezra Cleveland
72 G Ezra Cleveland
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
74 G Olisaemeka Udoh
83 WR Jalen Nailor
83 WR Jalen Nailor
84 TE Irv Smith Jr.
84 TE Irv Smith Jr.
86 TE Johnny Mundt
86 TE Johnny Mundt
90 DL Esezi Otomewo
91 OLB Patrick Jones II
91 DE Patrick Jones II
92 DT James Lynch
92 DT James Lynch
93 DL Jonathan Bullard
93 DL Jonathan Bullard
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson
95 DL Khyiris Tonga
95 DL Khyiris Tonga
96 DT Ross Blacklock
96 DT Ross Blacklock
97 DL Harrison Phillips
97 DL Harrison Phillips
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
98 DE D.J. Wonnum
99 OLB Danielle Hunter
99 DE Danielle Hunter
Lions 27, Vikings 24 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com
As an inveterate Lions backer over the last month, it is a little concerning to see everyone else agree. Winners of four of the past five, Detroit has gone from underdog to favorite in this matchup since Sunday, despite having been a home 'dog to then-4-7 Jacksonville at publishing last week.
All the sudden Lions love does make sense, though. The defense is playing with incredible energy, and that unit only needs to be average with Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson drawing up beautiful game plans for a Lions offense that is finally healthy. Jared Goff eats against zone defenses like the one the Vikings play.
Lions 31, Vikings 28 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports
This is actually a good game with both teams coming off impressive victories last week. The Vikings are a shoo-in to win the division, but the Lions are alive for a Wild Card spot. The Lions offense will present big problems for a Vikings defense that hasn't played that well. Lions win it behind Jared Goff.
Vikings 31, Lions 28 — Staff, Bleacher Report
The Minnesota Vikings have twice as many wins as the Detroit Lions, but the better team is the road underdog.
In fairness to the Lions, they only lost by four points to Minnesota on the road, and they've made strides since the first meeting with their NFC North rival.
As for the Vikings, they narrowly beat the New York Jets 27-22, who scored one touchdown on six red zone trips last week.
Defensive end Danielle Hunter, cornerback Patrick Peterson and safety Harrison Smith are dealing with an illness. Minnesota's 21st-ranked scoring unit needs all three defenders healthy in a matchup with the Lions high-scoring offense.
Vikings 27, Lions 24 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Just like the Vikings were disrespected against the Jets at home last week, there's bound to be buzz about them falling to the Lions after the first game at home was so nip-and-tuck. That also would play into the narrative of Detroit being a darling darkhorse in the NFC Playoffs race as a win would keep it alive to win the North ahead of Minnesota.
But the Vikings also hear that noise and will realize they can control this game offensively and defensively with more key talent, experience and better coaching.
Look back at photos over the course of time featuring games between the Vikings and the Lions.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from the Nov. 23, 2017 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 30-23.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from November 4, 2018 regular season home game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 24-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
An image from December 23, 2018 regular season away game against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings won 27-9.
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions January 07, 2023 Ford Field, Detroit, MI
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Week 7 - 2024 season
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Vikings 30, Lions 27 — Bill Bender, Sporting News
The Lions are favored, a nod to the improvement under second-year Head Coach Dan Campbell. The last three games between the teams have been decided by a combined total of eight points, and Detroit won at Ford Field last season. Still, there's value in the underdog here. The Vikings are 9-0 in games decided by eight or fewer points. The Lions are 2-5 in the same situation.
Lions 24, Vikings 20 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk
It might look a little strange that the 5-7 Lions are favored over the 10-2 Vikings, but it makes sense given how well the Lions have been playing lately. They'll win this one.
Vikings 30, Lions 27 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk
Nothing gets a 10-2 team more focused and motivated than being a 2.5-point underdog against a team that started the year 1-6.
Pre-game win probabilities: Vikings 61% — FiveThirtyEight.com
5 of 7 experts (2 didn't pick) pick the Vikings, ESPN
1 of 5 experts pick the Vikings, The MMQB
4 of 6 experts pick the Vikings, Bleacher Report
5 of 10 experts pick the Vikings, The Athletic
