Vikings vs Lions Prediction and Pick, Week 9

The NFC North rivalry between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions has been one-sided lately, and Week 9 brings another chance for these two division foes to clash in what’s shaping up to be a critical matchup. The Lions have completely flipped the narrative in this series, winning five straight against Minnesota, including a dominant 31–9 win in their last meeting back in January. Detroit’s offense continues to hum under Dan Campbell, ranking among the top five in nearly every major statistical category, while Minnesota remains mired in inconsistency and turnover issues. The Vikings have struggled to protect the football — ranking dead last in total turnovers (1.83 per game) — and that lack of ball security has been a killer for a team that doesn’t have the defensive muscle to overcome mistakes. Detroit, on the other hand, has found its identity on both sides of the ball, combining efficient passing, physical rushing, and a defense that’s stifling opponents up front. These teams are trending in opposite directions, and this matchup might serve as a defining point for the Vikings’ season as they try to prove they can still hang with the NFC North leaders.

For Minnesota, the challenge is simple but daunting: take care of the football and find some offensive rhythm against one of the league’s stingiest defenses. The Vikings are averaging a modest 24.17 points per game, ranking 15th in the league, but their offensive efficiency hasn’t translated into consistent production. Their passing attack has been solid — averaging just over 214 yards per game — yet they struggle to sustain drives, ranking near the bottom in both total plays and time of possession. The running game continues to lag behind, with just 103.8 rushing yards per contest, putting even more pressure on the quarterback to make plays against a defense that allows under 88 rushing yards per game. Penalties and fumbles have been another Achilles’ heel, as Minnesota ranks near the bottom of the league in both categories. If they want to pull off the upset, they’ll need a nearly perfect game plan: efficient passing, ball security, and a way to counter Detroit’s relentless defensive front. Anything less, and it could be another long afternoon for Kevin O’Connell’s squad.

Detroit, meanwhile, has evolved into one of the NFL’s most complete teams. Jared Goff continues to pilot an offense that ranks third in scoring (30.7 points per game) and top five in yards per play (5.9), thanks to a balanced approach that leans on both a strong run game and an efficient aerial attack. The Lions are averaging 133.7 rushing yards per game behind their physical offensive line, while Goff has kept defenses honest with over 223 passing yards per outing. What sets Detroit apart is their ability to close games — they’re third in the league in fourth-quarter scoring, averaging more than 10 points in the final frame — and their defense continues to complement that with a top-10 ranking in nearly every category. The front seven is allowing fewer than 90 rushing yards per game, forcing opponents into predictable passing downs where the Lions can dial up pressure. Against a turnover-prone Vikings offense, that formula could spell trouble once again. Detroit has dominated this matchup recently for a reason: they’re deeper, more disciplined, and better coached.

Vikings vs Lions Prediction: Head to Head

Date	Opponent	Score	Spread	Total	Moneyline
1/05/25	@DET	DET 31-9	DET-5.0	U47.5	DET-205
10/20/24	@MIN	DET 31-29	MIN+3.0	O47	MIN+140
1/07/24	@DET	DET 30-20	DET-2.5	U50.5	DET-130
12/24/23	@MIN	DET 30-24	MIN-1.0	O45	MIN-115
12/11/22	@DET	DET 34-23	DET+3.0	O51	DET+110
9/25/22	@MIN	MIN 28-24	MIN-6.5	O50	MIN-235
12/05/21	@DET	DET 29-27	DET+4.0	O46	DET+290
10/10/21	@MIN	MIN 19-17	MIN-10.0	U49	MIN-420
1/03/21	@DET	MIN 37-35	DET+3.0	O53.5	DET+143
11/08/20	@MIN	MIN 34-20	MIN-3.0	O51.5	MIN-182

Vikings vs Lions Prediction: Minnesota Offense

Vikings vs Lions Prediction: Detroit Offense

Vikings vs Lions Prediction and Pick, Week 9, by YouWager.lv.