Friday, May 18th, 2012
The Minnesota Vikings (2-10) and the Detroit Lions (7-5) will renew their long rivalry in a 1:00 PM ET game on Sunday, but both squads are dealing with some big problems.
The home-team Lions are currently listed as 7-point favorites with a total of 48.
The Lions started out as one of the best teams in the NFL but have since lost 5 of their last 7 games.
Detroit has picked up countless boneheaded penalties in recent losses and you have to wonder if the team is falling apart at the seams.
The Lions’ 5 losses during this streak have all been to quality teams, but Detroit would likely have a victory or two if they could control their emotions and stop losing games for themselves.
Minnesota isn’t in the running for a playoff spot by any measure, but they definitely were looking forward to getting the youngsters some playing time.
That looks to be an issue this week with quarterback Christian Ponder (hip) listed as questionable.
I’m hearing the former Florida State star is unlikely to suit up, and fellow rookie Joe Webb will get the starting snaps.
Webb doesn’t have the best arm but he’s extremely mobile and should give the Vikings a different look.
Minnesota released veteran presence Donovan McNabb earlier this month and is in a bad spot when it comes to quarterback depth.
These NFC North rivals meet up at least twice every season, and the Lions were 26-23 overtime winners as 3-point favorites in Minnesota earlier this season.
Detroit has won 2 straight against Minnesota after the Vikings claimed 6 straight victories previously.
The under has been a winner in 6 of the last 7 head-to-head meetings, while 2 of the last 4 have landed exactly on the posted point spread.
Tags: betting, december 11th 2011, detroit lions, football, fox tv, las vegas, line, minnesota vikings, money line, nfl, odds, offshore, over under, pick, point spread, preview, pro, sportsbook, sunday, total
