Lions vs. Vikings NFL Week 7 Picks: Detroit Will Overpower Minnesota

Detroit Destroyed Dallas

Jared Goff passed for 315 yards and three touchdowns, while David Montgomery added two rushing scores as the Detroit Lions routed the Dallas Cowboys 47-9 on Sunday. The Cowboys suffered their fourth straight blowout loss at home.

Despite the dominant performance, the Lions faced a setback as star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson went down with a serious left tibia injury in the third quarter, requiring surgery before he could return home.

“He’s a guy who’s part of the heartbeat of this team, he’s a leader, does everything right,” Goff said. “And to have him go down like that, and be visibly upset is tough for all of us. But knowing him, he will be fine. He will bounce back.”

Hutchinson’s injury occurred during a sack of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, where Hutchinson’s leg collided with teammate Alim McNeill, snapping above the ankle.

“I thought we really played the most complete game we’ve probably played here in a long time, if not the most since we’ve been here,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We applied pressure, we finally got a multiple takeaway game. We’ve talked about it. These things will come in bunches.”

Minnesota Keeps Winning

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings continued their undefeated run with a 23-17 victory over the New York Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 6.

Sam Darnold, drafted by the Jets with the third overall pick in 2018, struggled, completing just 14 of 31 passes for 179 yards, throwing one interception and losing a fumble. On the other side, Justin Jefferson contributed with six catches for 92 yards, helping the Vikings stay atop the NFC standings.

The Vikings are the only unbeaten team in the NFC, surprising many who didn’t expect such a start. However, despite their 5-0 record, there’s room for improvement, and their upcoming bye week offers a chance to address lingering issues.

Will Aaron Jones Play Against the Lions?

Running back Aaron Jones, who left the game against the Jets with a hip injury, is listed as week-to-week. His absence would be significant, as Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell will need to find a way to keep the run game effective without him. O’Connell said that the team is still evaluating Jones but doesn’t expect him to miss significant time.

“All the early information that we’ve got so far, it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury,” O’Connell explained.

Minnesota’s backup running back, Ty Chandler, has underwhelmed this season with an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Chandler also had a fumble against the Jets, though it was credited to Darnold. Minnesota’s rushing attack has struggled without Jones, and while expecting the backups to replicate his production is unrealistic, the team needs to find a solution.

In addition to Jones, tight end T.J. Hockenson and offensive guard Dalton Risner are recovering from injuries and could return after the bye. The extra week off gives Minnesota a valuable opportunity to get healthier and regroup.

Darnold, shaken up in the game against the Jets, will also benefit from the bye, as will the rest of the roster, many of whom are nursing the usual midseason aches and pains.

With a 5-0 record despite not being at full strength, the Vikings look poised to come out of their bye week even stronger, ready to continue their impressive start.

Key Matchups

This game pits Detroit’s explosive offense against Minnesota’s unbeaten streak. Goff is coming off a strong performance, and Detroit’s balanced attack behind Montgomery’s rushing prowess gives them an edge. However, the Lions will be dealing with the loss of Hutchinson, which could leave their defense vulnerable, especially against an opportunistic Minnesota team.

On the other side, the Vikings are undefeated but enter the game with significant injury concerns, including Jones. Minnesota’s ability to manage without Jones in the run game will be critical, especially considering Chandler’s struggles.

The bye week gave the Vikings time to regroup, but the question remains whether it will be enough to fix their issues before facing a Detroit team that can score quickly and often.

Jared Goff vs. Vikings’ Secondary

Goff is coming off a stellar 315-yard, three-touchdown performance, and his connection with Detroit’s receivers could spell trouble for a Vikings defense that has been solid but not flawless.

Goff’s accuracy and decision-making will be crucial, especially if he can exploit any lapses in Minnesota’s secondary. If the Vikings can’t apply consistent pressure, Goff will have time to pick apart the defense, especially with Montgomery threatening on the ground.

Detroit’s Pass Rush Without Hutchinson vs. Sam Darnold

The Lions’ defense, having lost Hutchinson, will need to find another way to generate pressure on Darnold. Without Hutchinson’s presence, Detroit’s ability to disrupt Darnold could suffer, giving him more time to find Jefferson.

If Darnold is allowed to get comfortable, the Lions’ secondary could be in for a long day. However, Darnold has been shaky this season, completing just 14 of 31 passes against the Jets with a turnover-prone performance, so Detroit’s defense may still have opportunities to capitalize on mistakes.

Minnesota’s Rushing Attack vs. Detroit’s Front Seven

With Jones dealing with a hip injury, Minnesota’s run game could be a concern. Chandler’s performance has been underwhelming, and the Vikings’ ability to establish the run will be pivotal.

Detroit’s defense, while dealing with its own injury concerns, can focus on making Minnesota one-dimensional if Chandler struggles to get going. If the Vikings can’t generate a running game, Darnold will be forced to shoulder more of the load, which could play into Detroit’s favor.

Special Teams and Turnovers

Turnovers could be the deciding factor in this matchup. Both Goff and Darnold have shown the ability to make plays, but both can also be turnover-prone. If Detroit’s defense can force Darnold into a couple of mistakes, it could swing the momentum in the Lions’ favor.

On the flip side, Minnesota’s defense has been opportunistic at times, and if they can create short fields or score off turnovers, the game could turn quickly.

The Pick

The game will likely be close, with both teams trading punches early. Detroit’s balanced offense should be enough to keep them competitive, even with the loss of Hutchinson on defense.

Minnesota’s injury concerns, particularly in the run game, might hinder their ability to control the tempo and put sustained pressure on the Lions. Goff’s precision and Detroit’s ability to capitalize on turnovers could be the difference.

NFL Pick: Lions ML (+120) at Bookmaker

Lions ML (+120)

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