Vikings vs. Lions prediction, odds, line, spread, time: 2024 NFL picks, Week 7 best bets from proven model
By CBS Sports Staff,
8 hours ago
Douglas DeFelice / USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings look to keep up their red-hot start as they host NFC North Division rival, the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. The Vikings (5-0) enter off a bye week following a 23-17 win over the Jets in London. The Lions (4-1) crushed the Cowboys on the road, 47-9 in Week 6. Detroit has won four of the last five meetings including both matchups in 2023: 30-24 and 30-20.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season on an incredible 11-3 hot streak on top-rated NFL picks this year. Longer term, it is on a 192-132 roll on top-rated NFL sports betting picks that dates back to the 2017 season and a 46-24 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of 2022.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it at their favorite betting sites or their best sports betting app is way up.
Vikings vs. Lions streaming: FuboTV (Try for free)
Why the Lions can cover
The winner of three straight games, Detroit looks to be one of the top teams in the NFC once again despite the crushing loss of top defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson , to a season-ending leg injury last week. Detroit was nearly perfect against Dallas. Quarterback Jared Goff completed 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns, including a 52 yard touchdown pass to tight end Sam LaPorta . During this winning streak, Goff is completing passes at an astounding 82% rate, throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception.
A key to the Lions' success is their strong rushing attack led by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs . Montgomery has scored a rushing touchdown in all five of the team's games, including two last week. Gibbs has scored four times and accounted for 452 yards of total offense. Both running backs have totaled at least 70 combined rushing-receiving yards in each contest. With a balanced attack, Detroit's offense will pose a serious challenge to the Vikings' defense. See which team to pick here .
Why the Vikings can cover
Not much was expected from journeyman quarterback Sam Darnold when it was announced that he would be the Vikings' starter after rookie J.J. McCarthy was injured during the preseason. But Darnold has more than proven himself thus far and the Vikings are the only undefeated team remaining in the NFC. In five games, he has thrown for 1,111 yards and 11 scores against only four interceptions. Darnold's passer rating of 103.4 ranks seventh among all NFL starting quarterbacks.
The Vikings' offense is buoyed by star wide receiver Justin Jefferson , who continues to prove he's among the league's best. He has 26 receptions for 430 yards and four touchdowns, including a 97 yard score earlier this season. With tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee, questionable) potentially returning, Minnesota's passing attack with Jefferson and second year pro Jordan Addison will continue to be among the league's best. See which team to pick here .
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