Vikings vs Lions Prediction: Week 8 Odds, Picks and Preview

Detroit is favored by 3.5 points over Minnesota as of Thursday, October 29, 2026, 9:45 PM ET, with a total of 45.5 to 46.5. The market implies a final of Lions 24, Vikings 21. Vikings (6-0) at Lions (4-2) kicks off Sun, Nov 1, 1:00 PM ET on FOX from Ford Field, Detroit.

Vikings vs Lions odds at every book

Lines are from SportsbookReview's NFL odds board and cross-checked against VegasInsider's Week 8 odds page (updated October 28 at 11:06 PM) and SI's opening-odds roundup, which agree on the favorite in every game. Detroit opened at -3 on SportsbookReview and at FanDuel; Action Network shows an early -4.5 that came down. The consensus now is -3.5 at every book, so the move since the open is a half point toward the Lions. The total opened at 46 and sits at 45.5 to 46.5. Action Network has 60% of spread tickets on Minnesota, and SportsbookReview's consensus is 48% Vikings, 52% Lions, so the number has not moved against the public side. Our free plays for the week are posted on the free picks page.

Vikings vs Lions prediction from the odds

Our scoring-average projection is Vikings 23, Lions 23, a dead heat, with a total of 45.7. The Prediction Tracker median has Minnesota by 0.3 (standard deviation 3.9) and gives Detroit only a 41% chance to cover -3.5. Massey is the one system on Detroit's side, at Lions 23-21. Against a 3.5-point spread, our number and the tracker median both give the Vikings more than 3 points of cushion.

How the Vikings and Lions got here

Minnesota is the league's only unbeaten team and has not allowed more than 22 points in a game. Detroit has scored 31 or more four times and lost twice in games where it gave up 32 and 41. The Vikings are 4-2 against the spread and the Lions 1-4-1, per Complex's Week 8 odds roundup. These teams split last season, and the winner leads the NFC North on Sunday night.

Kyler Murray vs Jared Goff

Kyler Murray is 6-0 as Minnesota's starter and the offense has scored 125 points, tied for the second fewest by a 6-0 team since 1940 per ESPN Research. He threw for 150 yards and a touchdown in the 16-10 win over Indianapolis, a game the Vikings trailed 10-6 at halftime. Four of the six wins are by one score. This team wins with Brian Flores' defense, which has allowed 74 points, 12.3 a game, and the fewest touchdowns in the league.

Jared Goff and the Lions put up 184 points in six games (30.7 a game) and beat Green Bay 20-17 last week after the bye. Detroit's Thursday report is the concern: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Aidan Hutchinson and Alim McNeill all did not practice, per NFL.com. Some of those are veteran rest days; Friday's designations say which.

Vikings vs Lions injury report

Statuses are from NFL.com's Week 8 injury report as of Thursday, October 29, 2026, plus team reporting where noted. Both quarterbacks are off the report. Detroit's long list of non-participants on Thursday includes several veterans who often rest midweek, so the Friday report is the one that matters. Aaron Jones left the Colts game with a shoulder injury and did not practice Thursday.

Other Week 8 games we broke down: Eagles vs Commanders, Bears vs Seahawks, Ravens vs Bills, Chiefs vs Broncos.

Vikings vs Lions questions people ask