It’s a heavyweight showdown for control of one of the best divisions in football, the NFC North. Who would have thought just a few seasons ago that Jared Goff vs Sam Darnold would be one of the marquee games of the week? Well, here we are! This one will kick off from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox. Here’s a look at my Lions-Vikings preview and predictions.
The Lions have been firing on all cylinders leading to a 4-1 record entering this game. Last week they went into Jerry World in Dallas and put a whooping on the Cowboys with a 47-9 final score. Unfortunately for the Lions, that victory cost them, Aidan Hutchinson. The star defensive end had to have surgery on a fractured tibia and will miss the rest of the season.
The Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins in the off-season, then lost their number one rookie pick JJ McCarthy before the season to a season-ending injury. By default, Sam Darnold was the last man standing and took over as the Vikings starter. Now entering Week 7 they stand with the Kansas City Chiefs as the only two undefeated teams in the league. A win over the Lions this week would give them a comfortable lead in the NFC North.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Preview and Predictions Video
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Preview and Predictions
Justin Jefferson Over 92.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
Justin Jefferson has proven to everyone why he is one of the best, if not the best wide receiver in the game right now. The Vikings star had no problem transitioning to Sam Darnold being his new quarterback as the pair hooked up for 133 yards in Week 2 against a tough San Francisco 49ers team. Jefferson has averaged 90 receiving yards per game through their first five games.
Justin Jefferson likes the Lions… His single-game highs so far in his NFL career
223 yards (at DET, ’22)
193 yards (at BUF, ’22)
192 yards (at DET, ’23)
184 yards (vs GB, ’22)
182 yards (at DET, ’21)Jefferson averages 134 yards per game over eight meetings with the Lions
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) October 15, 2024
He likes to show up in the big moments, like that 49ers game. Now he gets a chance to play a Detroit Lions team he has absolutely owned over the years. Last season in their two games against Detroit he caught 141 and 192 yards respectively. In 2022 against the Lions Jefferson had a down game, but made up for it in the second matchup where he had 223 yards through the air. In 2021, he had games of 124 and 182 against them. Even in his rookie season, Jefferson had a 133-yard game against the Lions. I expect a big performance from the star receiver again this week.
Game Total Over 50 -Points (-120)
Neither of these teams are not afraid to get in a shootout and both rank among the league leaders in points scored. The Lions check in with the most points per game at 30.2. The Vikings are fifth on the list averaging 27.8 points per game. On top of that, in their last five meetings, each game has scored a minimum of 50 points. Sam Darnold and Jared Goff game of the week loading!
