Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Odds and prediction for Week 3

The Detroit Lions have their first road game of the season in Week 3, and here are the early odds and a prediction for the game against the Minnesota Vikings.

After splitting two home games against NFC East opponents to start the season, and beating the Washington Commanders in Week 2, the Detroit Lions will hit the road against the division rival Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. The Lions also covered the early 1.5-point spread.

The Lions and Vikings split the two matchups last season, with the Lions getting their first win of  the season in dramatic fashion at home in Week 13. Both games were close, as the Vikings only beat the Lions 19-17 on a last-second field goal at US Bank Stadium in Week 5.

The Lions will not be a pushover for the Vikings in Week 3. An opening line that was around a touchdown plus an extra point in a lot of places has already fallen toward the Lions based on Minnesota’s 24-7 Monday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

Via FanDuel Sportsbook, as of Tuesday early afternoon or late morning depending on where you are in the United States, let’s look at the odds for Lions-Vikings in Week 3.

Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 3: Odds and prediction

Point Spread: 

Vikings: -5.5 (-114)
Lions: +5.5 (-106)

Moneyline:

Vikings (-240)
Lions (+194)

Over/Under (53.5):

Over: (-106)
Under: (-114)

The Vikings have mostly dominated the Lions for decades. Last year’s late-season win for Detroit was their only win against Minnesota in Kirk Cousins’ four full seasons as the Vikings’ quarterback.

But these don’t look like the “same old Lions” this year. Last year’s 3-13-1 team, in Dan Campbell’s first year as head coach, nearly (and probably should have) beat the Vikings twice. Minnesota is also on a short week after playing Monday night Week 2.

Prediction: Lions lose to the Vikings but cover the spread. The 53.5 over/under is currently tied for the highest on the Week 3 NFL slate, and the over hits.