Which of the NFC’s top two teams will prevail in this matchup?

At this stage in the season, the NFC North is not only the finest division in the NFL through six weeks,

but it may be the best division the league has ever seen.

Never before have all of the teams in a division finished the first six weeks of a season with at least four wins.

The cumulative point differential for the division is +211. At +20, the AFC West is ranked second.

The 2013 NFC West, with a +359 differential, is the largest division point differential in history.

Though the season is less than one-third gone, the NFC North is already 59% of the way there.

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are atop the top division.

The NFL’s top point differential (+63), unbeaten record, and highest DVOA in the league all belong to the Vikings (5-0).

The Lions (4-1) are ranked second in the league in terms of DVOA,

own the second-best record in the NFC, and have the second-best point differential (+60) in the NFL.

The other two teams in the division have the third and fourth-best point differentials in the NFL.

(The previous time an NFL division held the top four positions in point differential in any given week of the season was the West,

Lions, Bears, and Packers, three of the same four teams.)

Thus, any club with any postseason hopes must win its divisional games in the NFC North.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Vikings have already defeated the teams with the second-,

fifth-, ninth-, and tenth-shortest Super Bowl odds.

The Lions have not yet played a team ranked in the top ten.

The Lions’ first divisional match of the season will take place on Sunday,

while the Vikings emerged victorious in their sole NFC North match of the season against the Packers.

Elite defences and offences will square off in this showdown between two of the league’s best teams,

and bookies have set the over/under at 49.5,

the third-highest total in the league for Week 7.

Detroit leads the league in scoring with 30.2 points per game, while Minnesota is sixth with 27.8.

The previous five meetings between the Lions and Vikings have ended over the total.

However, the Lions rank seventh at 18.2, while the Vikings allow the third-fewest points at 15.2.

Why the Lions are able to The Lions’

confidence and momentum have increased after their utter thrashing of the Dallas Cowboys.

More significantly, in its last seven games versus the Vikings, Detroit has covered the spread.

In fact, in their last eight divisional games as a favourite, the Lions have covered the spread in every one of them.

The reason the Vikings are able to For the Vikings, the Week 6 bye arrived at the ideal moment.

It provided Jones an outside chance to return as well as giving Darnold an extra week to heal from his rib injury.

For the first time this season, Darnold will also have all of his weapons at his disposal,

as former Lions standout tight end T.J.

Hockenson is anticipated to make his season debut after fully recuperating from an ACL tear sustained during their previous meeting in 2023.

Conversely, the Vikings have the opportunity to capitalise on some injuries sustained by Detroit.

Star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who has led the NFL in sacks, quarterback hits,

and quarterback pressures, has been the focal point of the Lions defense’s excellent pass rush.

However, Hutchinson is out for four to six months after suffering a horrifying tibia and fibula fracture during the Cowboys game.

Marcus Davenport, Detroit’s other starting edge, also had a season-ending injury prior to this.

Hutchinson has more sacks than the rest of the Lions put together.

Just two players in Detroit have more than two quarterback hits.

The Lions may find it difficult to pressure Darnold without both of their starting edge rushers.

Darnold is guarded by one of the top tackle tandems in the NFL in Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill.

In the event that Detroit is unable to replicate Hutchinson’s output,

Darnold should have enough time to locate Hockenson, Jordan Addison, and Justin Jefferson downfield.

The Lions have the greatest offence in the NFC, which will test Minnesota’s top defence,

even though the Vikings might be able to move the ball against Detroit’s defence.

Minnesota is still surrendering the third-highest amount of passing yards per game (263.0),

despite the fact that sophisticated statistics show the Vikings’ pass defence has been

outstanding this season and opposition teams have been forced to pass.

The Vikings are now up against NFL leader Jared Goff, whose ridiculous completion rate of 76.3% would easily set a record.

Along with his ridiculous 9.6 yards per attempt, Goff leads the NFL in passing rating (112.7).

There is no indication that Goff’s scorching start to the season will abate.

However, this game ought to be tight.

The best value can be found in taking Detroit to win by fewer than 14 points at

odds that are more favourable than the Lions money line.

Forecast: Vikings 24, Lions 27.

Week 7’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will intensify the competition for the NFC North.

When the 4-1 Lions take against the 5-0 Vikings for the first game this season, NFL fans are in for a treat.

Can the Lions, led by Jared Goff, pull off the upset? Here are all of my predictions and analysis for Lions vs. Vikings.

Week 7 Lions vs. Vikings Odds October 20, 1:00 PM: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings ET

Vikings vs. Lions Week 7 Predictions Lions +2.5 This season, the defence of the Minnesota Vikings has excelled.

The defence led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores ranks third in the league with

only 15.3 points per game and leads the league in points allowed per play.

They’ve just played five games, but they rank third in terms of takeaways (13),

as well as sacks (20). Flores’ unique blitzing tactic has puzzled and bewildered some of the top quarterbacks in the league.

After defeating the Dallas Cowboys by 47 points the previous week,

Detroit’s offence is on a high note and is fourth in terms of EPA per play.

Also playing well has been Aaron Glenn’s defence. Detroit is ranked second in terms of opponent third-

down percentage (29.63) and ninth in terms of projected points added allowed.

Despite the Vikings’ outstanding football play this season, I believe the Lions are the more skilled squad.

On Sunday afternoon, I’m willing to wager that some of Ben Johnson’s inventive play concepts will tire out Vikings defences.

Furthermore, in his previous 36 starts indoors, Jared Goff has an incredible 27-9 ATS. In Week 7,

take a ride with the underdog Lions.

Vikings vs. Lions Week 7 Predictions O254.5 Passing Yards (-113) for Jared Goff Goff,

This season, he has been incredibly effective indoors,

averaging 282 passing yards per contest.

Last week, Goff dominated the Cowboys with 315 yards and three touchdowns;

in his most recent game against Seattle,

he went a perfect 18-for-18 for 292 yards and two more scores. I’m purchasing as much Goff stock as I can.

Week Seven Betting Trends for Lions vs. Vikings Against the top 10 scoring defences per Outlier,

the Minnesota Vikings are 2-4 (33.3%) against the spread in their previous 6 games.

In 7 of the Detroit Lions’ last 8 games against the top 10 scoring defences,

the over was hit. In their previous eight games against the top ten scoring defences,

the Detroit Lions are 6-2 (75.0%).