Minnesota Vikings Vs Detroit Lions: Las Vegas Line & Pick Against the Spread

Battle of the Insignificants Features Minnesota VIkings & Detroit Lions

Todd Jacobs, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 27, 2010 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

The Minnesota Vikings play their second game in Ford Field on January 2nd their first game against the Detroit Lions in the Ford Field. A disappointing season for the Minnesota Vikings will come to a merciful end against their NFC North foes in a game that means nothing in the standings but it will be exciting just the same.

Minnesota Vikings Defense vs Detroit Lions Offense

Much of the focus on the Minnesota Vikings season was on the offense. Brett Favre's issues on and of the field and Adrian Peterson stepping up with a solid offensive season gained much of the press this season. The Minnesota Vikings shortcomings on defense were disguised by the incessant media attention on the rest of the teams drama.

Up front the Minnesota Vikings were not a factor and their depleted secondary has been beaten badly game after game. Antoine Winfield is the only healthy member of the Minnesota Vikings secondary and he may be near the end of his career. This is Winfield's 11th season as a cornerback and with the exception of a few great cornerbacks most are hanging up their cleats at this age.

Shaun Hill is back for the Detroit Lions and his success against the Miami Dolphins could be the boost the Detroit Lions need to finish their season on a high note. Hill is not a starting quarterback in the NFL but he is a great back up that can come in and take over a team. Hill is smart enough to spread the ball around but he knows to find Calvin Johnson when the game is on the line. The Detroit Lions offense has the advantage over the Minnesota Vikings defense.

Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Detroit Lions Defense

Who will be under center for the Minnesota Vikings last game of the 2010 NFL season? Whether it is Brett Favre or Joe Webb it will not make much of a difference. Ndamukong Suh is a monster on defense up the middle for the Detroit Lions. The Detroit Lions defense is not one dimensional with their strong front defensive line.

The Detroit Lions secondary is giving up 219 yards per game to opposing quarterbacks which is better than average among NFL defenses. The run is the weakness of this Detroit Lions defense and if Adrian Peterson is healthy they are in trouble.

Adrian Peterson is the key player for the Minnesota Vikings in this game. Peterson ran wild against the Detroit Lions defense when these two met in September. He rushed for 160 yards and took over the game in a 24-10 victory by the Minnesota Vikings.

The quarterback issue is not important in this game. Brett Favre or Webb are the same quarterback at this point of their career. Favre is less than 50% and Webb is wet behind the ears but can run and create an option game with Adrian Peterson. The Minnesota Vikings offense has the edge over the Detroit Lions.

Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Pick Em: Pick & Breakdown

The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions are rated a pick em by the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook for their day after New Years Day tilt. The Minnesota Vikings are 1-6 against the spread on the road. The Detroit Lions are 6-1 against the spread on their home field. This is a factor in the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook and many sportsbooks making this a pick em game. Take the Minnesota Vikings as straight up pick em winner over the Detroit Lions.