PREMIUM
Rogers' EARLY Thanksgiving Day MASSACRE >> Vikings @ Lions!
(NFL) Minnesota vs. Detroit,
Total: 41.50 | -109.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 41.50 | -109.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Lions and Vikings met in Minnesota on the first Sunday of November (11/6), with Lions prevailing in OT. The loss represented the third in what would become a four-game Vikings losing streak, while in contrast, the Lions are currently on a 5-1 run. These NFC North rivals meet again Thanksgiving afternoon in Detroit with both teams tied atop the division at 6-4.
The Vikings entered 2016 off an 11-5 season in 2015 (won NFC North) and despite losing starting QB Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason and RB Adrian Peterson for the year in Week 2, opened 5-0 SU & ATS. However, after a Week 6 bye, the Vikings lost four in a row (also 0-4 ATS), before ending their slide with a 30-24 home win over the Cardinals. Minnesota had averaged a woeful 14.0 PPG during its four-game losing streak but got a much-needed 30-point effort in beating Arizona. However, a closer look reveals that the Minnesota offense generated only three second-half points. The Vikings returned an interception 100 yards for a TD in the first half and then had a 104-yard KO return TD in the second half.
Detroit: The Lions opened 1-3 but have rebounded to win five of their last six, with the wins coming by one, three, three, six (in OT)and seven points! QB Stafford is completing 67.3% for 265.1 YPG and most importantly, owns an 18-5 ratio, giving him a QB rating of 101.2. He has engineered fourth-quarter comebacks in all six of the Lions' wins. They stunned Minnesota 22-16 in overtime in their last game on Nov. 6, after the Vikings grabbed the lead with 23 seconds remaining. A long pass play set up a tying 58-yard FG by Matt Prater and Stafford's 28-yard scoring pass to Golden Tate on the first possession of overtime finished off the another comeback.
The pick: Minnesota QB Bradford is completing 69.8 percent for 222.4 YPG along with a 12-2 ratio and 99.8 QB rating. Neither team can run the ball, as Minnesota ranks last with 70.0 YPG (on 2.7 YPC), while the Lions rank 30th, averaging 79.5 YPG on 3.6 YPC. With no running games and perfect conditions inside, look for both QBs to play well. Thanksgiving in Detroit has been a long tradition and over the last three Turkey Day games, the Lions have won and covered over the Eagles, Bears and Packers, winning by the combined score of 119-41 (that means Detroit has avergaed 39.7 PPG). The last time these division rivals met on Thanksgiving Day was back in 1995, when the Lions pulled out a wild 44-38 victory. I don't expect 82 points here but I do expect more than enough to make the Over an 8* play.
The Vikings entered 2016 off an 11-5 season in 2015 (won NFC North) and despite losing starting QB Teddy Bridgewater in the preseason and RB Adrian Peterson for the year in Week 2, opened 5-0 SU & ATS. However, after a Week 6 bye, the Vikings lost four in a row (also 0-4 ATS), before ending their slide with a 30-24 home win over the Cardinals. Minnesota had averaged a woeful 14.0 PPG during its four-game losing streak but got a much-needed 30-point effort in beating Arizona. However, a closer look reveals that the Minnesota offense generated only three second-half points. The Vikings returned an interception 100 yards for a TD in the first half and then had a 104-yard KO return TD in the second half.
Detroit: The Lions opened 1-3 but have rebounded to win five of their last six, with the wins coming by one, three, three, six (in OT)and seven points! QB Stafford is completing 67.3% for 265.1 YPG and most importantly, owns an 18-5 ratio, giving him a QB rating of 101.2. He has engineered fourth-quarter comebacks in all six of the Lions' wins. They stunned Minnesota 22-16 in overtime in their last game on Nov. 6, after the Vikings grabbed the lead with 23 seconds remaining. A long pass play set up a tying 58-yard FG by Matt Prater and Stafford's 28-yard scoring pass to Golden Tate on the first possession of overtime finished off the another comeback.
The pick: Minnesota QB Bradford is completing 69.8 percent for 222.4 YPG along with a 12-2 ratio and 99.8 QB rating. Neither team can run the ball, as Minnesota ranks last with 70.0 YPG (on 2.7 YPC), while the Lions rank 30th, averaging 79.5 YPG on 3.6 YPC. With no running games and perfect conditions inside, look for both QBs to play well. Thanksgiving in Detroit has been a long tradition and over the last three Turkey Day games, the Lions have won and covered over the Eagles, Bears and Packers, winning by the combined score of 119-41 (that means Detroit has avergaed 39.7 PPG). The last time these division rivals met on Thanksgiving Day was back in 1995, when the Lions pulled out a wild 44-38 victory. I don't expect 82 points here but I do expect more than enough to make the Over an 8* play.
