Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Picks and Prediction for Sunday, November 2, 2025

On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings (3-4, 4th NFC North) pay a visit to Ford Field in Detroit for an NFC North showdown with the Detroit Lions (5-2, 2nd NFC North). Minnesota lost to the LA Chargers 37-10 last Thursday for its second straight loss and third in the last four games. Minnesota is fourth in the NFC North and gets their young QB back this week. Detroit defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24-9 in Week 7 and had a bye last week. Detroit has won five of the last six and is second in the NFC North. Minnesota will play without CJ Ham, Jeff Okudah, and Josh Oliver, while several others are listed as questionable. Kerby Joseph and Craig Reynolds are out for Detroit, and several are questionable. Make sure to read this in-depth Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions prediction. Stay sharp this week with expert NFL picks for the Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions prediction and crush the lines.

Minnesota QB J.J. McCarthy is expected to start on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings will have their starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, under center for the first time since September 14th, when he suffered a high right ankle sprain.  McCarthy will start with Max Brosmer, the backup. The Vikings have averaged just 202.7 yards passing this season, which is 20th, while averaging 93.9 yards rushing per game, which is 26th. Minnesota’s 296.6 yards of total offense per game is also 26th. The Vikings defense holds opponents to 318.4 yards per game, which is 14th, allowing 130.4 yards rushing and 188.0 yards passing per game, which are 24th and 8th, respectively.

McCarthy has thrown for 301 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Backup Bromser has thrown for 42 yards. Carson Wentz started in McCarthy's absence, passing for 1,216 yards, but underwent season-ending surgery on his shoulder. Jordan Mason is the leading rusher with 383 yards and four touchdowns, while Justin Jefferson leads all receivers with 602 yards and one touchdown. Minnesota's leading tackler is linebacker Eric Wilson with 51. The Vikings' defense has made 18 quarterback sacks and intercepted three passes. Getting LB Andrew Van Ginkel back from a neck injury would also help the pass rush, considering he recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks last season and has two in just two games this year.

Detroit is top eight on both sides of the line of scrimmage

The Detroit Lions are 8th in both total offense at 357.3 yards per game and total defense at 300.0 yards per game. Detroit averages 30.7 points per game on 133.7 yards rushing (7th) and 223.6 yards passing (12th) per game. The Lions allow just 21.6 points per game, which is 11th. The defense allows an average of 87.7 yards rushing (4th) and 212.3 yards passing (16th) per game.

Detroit starting quarterback Jared Goff has thrown for 1,631 yards with 15 touchdowns and just three interceptions with a 116.4 passer rating.  Goff has been sacked 13 times in seven games. Jahmyr Gibbs has 526 yards rushing to lead Detroit with a team-high six touchdowns, while David Montgomery has 355 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown is Detroit's leading receiver with 538 yards and seven touchdown receptions. The leading tackler for Detroit is linebacker Jack Campbell with 64, which is 21 tackles more than the next closest teammate. Detroit's defense has made 23 quarterback sacks and intercepted seven passes. DE Aidan Hutchinson (6-7, 270), who recently signed a huge extension earlier this week, leads the Lions with six sacks and four forced fumbles.

Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Pick

Spread Pick for Vikings vs. Lions

• Detroit Lions -9.5 (5 units)

The Detroit Lions are coming off a bye week and have played well on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Detroit is 8th in both total offense and total defense. The Lions run by committee, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, averaging 133.7 yards per game as a team, which is 7th. The passing game is 12th behind the arm of Jared Goff, who averages 233.0 yards per game. The Lions will take advantage of a Minnesota defense that is allowing an average of 130.4 yards rushing (24th) per game. Minnesota's offense has struggled without JJ McCarthy on the field as the Vikings are 26th in rushing and 20th in passing. Although McCarthy will be back on the field Sunday, do not expect the Minnesota QB to be “live game action ready” and could be a bit “rusty.” Minnesota has covered the spread in just three of its last nine games and is 0-9 ATS in its last 9 games versus Detroit. The Lions are 5-1 ATS in their last six games and 5-0 ATS in the last five games at home against the Vikings.

Over/Under Pick for Vikings vs. Lions

• Over 48 (5 units)

Detroit's defense is strong, but Detroit's offense has performed well, and with the return of Minnesota starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings should put points up on the board. The total has finished over in six of the last seven games, head-to-head between Minnesota and Detroit. The total has also finished over in each of Minnesota's last five games, and in four of the last five games that Minnesota has played on the road.