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NFL Expert Picks: Vikings Projected to Get 1st Division Win

Oct 07, 2021 at 03:25 PM

Eric Smith

Former Team Reporter

The Vikings will put a bow on a three-game homestand Sunday against the Lions.

Minnesota (1-3) hosts Detroit (0-4) in Week 5, with kickoff set for noon (CT).

Let's see who the experts are picking to win the game:

Vikings 37, Lions 23 — Gregg Rosenthal, NFL.com

It's one thing to have less talent than the rest of the league. It's another thing to have that little talent and then become one of the most injury-plagued teams in football, as Detroit has. Minnesota's kryptonite appears to be an effective pass rush, but that's not a concern in this game. Jared Goff will be in position for a whole lot of yards trying to play catch-up.

Vikings 31, Lions 21 — Pete Prisco, CBS Sports

The Vikings are playing a third straight at home. They must have this game after losing to the Browns Sunday. Detroit has stayed around in games, but this might be one that gets away. Minnesota's offense struggled against the Browns, but they will get back on track in this one. Vikings big.

Vikings 34, Lions 17 — Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

The Lions have been doing their best to play hard and get a win but their defense keeps going further in the tank and now the injuries are starting to pile up, too. The Vikings like to attack bad teams with Kirk Cousins and are due for another domination with its defense playing more the way Mike Zimmer likes. Jared Goff is in for another rough afternoon with limited receivers vs. Cousins, who gets to do whatever he wants with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen.

Vikings 30, Lions 20 — Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk

Both of these teams are disappointments, but the Lions are the bigger disappointments.

Vikings 31, Lions 17 — Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk

Like last year, the Vikings started 1-3. Unlike last year, they have some hope to turn things around.

Vikings 31, Lions 20 — Staff, Bleacher Report

The Detroit Lions have battled hard at home this season, but they're still 0-4. They've been defeated by double-digit margins in both of their road games, and they're now in particularly rough shape from a health perspective.

With star center Frank Ragnow (turf toe) on Injured Reserve along with pass-rusher Romeo Okwara (Achilles), it's hard to see Detroit sticking around with the desperate Vikings in Minnesota on Sunday.