Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings Week 9 NFL Picks & Predictions 11/4/2018

Sunday, November 4, 2018

U.S. Bank Stadium

Get todays NFL Odds & Lines on this game

The Detroit Lions head to U.S. Bank Stadium to play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, November 4, 2018. The opening line for this matchup has Minnesota as 6 point favorites. The total has been set at 51.

The Lions are 5-2-0 against the spread and their over/under record is 5-2-0. The Vikings are 4-3-1 against the spread and their over/under mark is 4-4-0.

Valuable Detroit Lions Betting Trends

The Detroit Lions are 5-2-0 against the over/under

The Detroit Lions are 5-2-0 against the spread

Important Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-4-0 against the over/under

The Minnesota Vikings are 4-3-1 against the spread

Key Detroit Lions Injuries

10/28/18 LB Christian Jones Knee injured last game, is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/28/18 DE Ezekiel Ansah Shoulder is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/28/18 RB Theo Riddick Knee is questionable Sunday vs Minnesota
10/15/18 CB Jamal Agnew Knee IR
09/04/18 S Marcus Cromartie Undisclosed IR
09/04/18 FB Nick Bawden Knee IR
09/04/18 LB Steve Longa Knee IR
09/04/18 RB Zach Zenner Back IR

Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

10/29/18 S Andrew Sendejo Groin is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 LB Anthony Barr Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 RB Dalvin Cook Hamstring is doubtful Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 RB Roc Thomas Hamstring is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 T Tom Compton Knee is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 CB Xavier Rhodes Ankle is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/29/18 T Riley Reiff Foot is questionable Sunday vs Detroit
10/15/18 CB Mike Hughes ACL is out for season
09/10/18 T Aviante Collins Elbow IR
09/04/18 DE Ade Aruna Knee IR
09/04/18 T Cedrick Lang Leg IR
09/04/18 DE Hercules Mata'afa Knee IR
09/04/18 FB Johnny Stanton Leg IR
09/04/18 TE Josiah Price Knee IR
08/10/18 C Nick Easton Neck IR

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Detroit Lions are 7th in the National Football League in points scored with 171. They have run 434 plays this year for 2,614 yards, which ranks them 13th in the NFL in total offense. The Lions average 6 yards per play, which is 10th in the league. As a team they have accumulated a total of 151 1st downs this season, ranking them 21st overall as an offensive unit. On the ground Detroit has run for 768 yards as a unit, which ranks 32nd in the league. They've run 162 times, averaging 4.7 yards per rush as a unit. The Lions have been penalized on offense 45 times for 394 yards so far this year, which has them 18th in the NFL in penalties. Matthew Stafford has passed for 1,912 yards this year. He's completed 171 throws while attempting 253 passes for a completion percentage of 67.6%. His quarterback rating this season is 98.5. He averages 11.2 yards per completion and 7.6 yards per pass attempt.

Defensive Statistics

Detroit is 21st in the NFL in points surrendered on defense with 186. They have given up a total of 2,574 yards on D, which is 27th in the league. The Lions are 25th in yards per play allowed with 6.1. Their pass defense has allowed 7 net yards per pass attempt, ranking them 22nd in the National Football League. Opponent offenses have completed 133 throws on 200 attempts against the Detroit Lions defense this season, ranking them 27th and 28th in the league. The Detroit pass defense has also surrendered a total of 1,562 yards in the air, which is 27th overall in total pass defense. Their rushing defense has given up 199 attempts for 1,012 yards this season, putting them in 18th place in the NFL against the run. The Lions have had 46 penalties for 466 yards on defense this year. That places them 24th in the league. They've allowed a score on 42.5% of possessions on defense, which is 11th in the NFL.

Special Teams Stats

Detroit is 10th in the NFL in punt returns with 11. They've totaled 62 punt return yards and are averaging 5.6 yards per return, which is 1st in the league. Their longest punt return this season is 16 yards. They have returned 10 kicks for 274 yards on special teams, placing them 26th in kick return yardage. The Lions average 27.4 yards per kick return and have a long of 45 yards this season. They are 11th in the National Football League in all-purpose yards with 3,030. The Detroit Lions have tried 16 field goals this season and made 13, which is 13th in the league. Their kickers have a FG percentage of 81.3%. Detroit Lions kickers have made 100% of their extra points, going 18 for 18 this season. Their punters have accumulated 1,094 yards on 24 punts, averaging 45.6 yards per punt. That ranks them 25th in the NFL in punting average.

Useful Offensive Statistics

The Minnesota Vikings have run for 697 yards as a team, which ranks 7th in the NFL. They've run 174 times, averaging 4 yards per carry as a rushing unit. The Vikings have been penalized on offense 50 times for 400 yards so far this season, which has them 22nd in the league in penalties. They are 10th in the NFL in points scored with 197. They have run 538 plays this season for 3,086 yards, which ranks them 11th in the league in total offense. The Vikings average 5.7 yards per play, which is 13th in the National Football League. As a team they have accumulated a total of 170 1st downs this year, placing them 6th overall as an offensive unit. Kirk Cousins averages 7.4 yards per pass attempt and 10.5 yards per completion. He has completed 241 passes on 341 attempts for a completion percentage of 70.7%. His quarterback rating is 102.5. He has thrown for 2,521 yards this season.

Defensive Statistics

The Vikings rush defense has allowed 197 attempts for 734 yards this year, putting them in 2nd place in the league against the run. Minnesota has committed 52 penalties for 391 yards on the defensive side of the ball this season. That ranks them 20th in the NFL. They've given up a score on 37.2% of possessions on defense, which is 3rd in the league. They are 1st in the league in points allowed on defense with 195. They have surrendered a total of 2,691 yards on D, which is 1st in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings are ranked 2nd in yards per play allowed with 5.6. Their pass defense has given up 6.9 net yards per pass attempt, placing them 2nd in the league as a unit. Opposing offenses have completed 167 passes on 263 attempts against the Minnesota defense this season, placing them 7th and 19th in the National Football League. The Vikings pass defense has also given up a total of 1,957 yards through the air, which is 2nd overall in total pass defense.

Special Teams Stats

The Minnesota Vikings have attempted 18 field goals this season and made 12, which is 9th in the National Football League. Their kickers have a field goal percentage of 66.7%. Minnesota kickers have made 95% of their extra points, going 19 for 20 this year. Their punters have totaled 1,618 yards on 37 punts, averaging 43.7 yards per punt. That places them 32nd in the NFL in punting average. Minnesota is ranked 6th in the league in punt returns with 17. They've accumulated 129 punt return yards and average 7.6 yards per return, which is 7th in the NFL. Their longest punt return so far this year is 20 yards. They have returned 11 kicks for 267 yards on special teams, ranking 21st in kick return yardage. The Vikings average 24.3 yards per kick return and have a long of 46 yards this year. They are 8th in the league in all-purpose yards with 3,614.

Who will win tonight's Lions/Vikings NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Vikings -6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald