NFL Week 9 expert picks: Staff predictions for Lions vs. Vikings

Our neverending conquest of trying to figure out this Detroit Lions team continues. We, along with every other Lions fan, have had a hard time predicting what will happen on a week-to-week basis.

The Lions face off against the Minnesota Vikings this week, a team that has been almost as confusing as Detroit. The Vikings have taken care of business against teams like the 49ers, Jets and Cardinals, but they lost an embarrassing game to the Bills, and they have yet to show they can compete with the class of the NFL—dropping games to the Rams and Saints, while just tying to the Packers.

That hasn’t changed the opinion of most of our staff, however. Only a few brave souls are taking the Lions as 5.5-point road underdogs this week. Take a look.

Ryan Mathews (4-3): 35-28 Lions
Kellie Rowe (3-3): 27-20 Vikings
Andrew Kato (3-3): No pick
Kent Lee Platte (3-4): 37-27 Vikings
Alex Reno (3-4): 30-21 Vikings
Justin Simon (3-4): 27-24 Vikings
Mike Payton (3-4): 24-21 Lions
Chris Perfett (2-5): 69-68 Lions
Jeremy Reisman (2-5): 31-13 Vikings
Hamza Baccouche (2-5): 35-17 Vikings
Kyle Yost (2-5): 28-21 Vikings
Levi Blue (2-5): 30-24 Vikings
Jerry Mallory (2-5): 29-14 Vikings
Mansur Shaheen (1-6): 34-17 Vikings
John Whiticar (1-6): 28-21 Vikings
FanPulse (1-6): Vikings by 3

Who do you think will be the winner on Sunday? Throw your vote in the poll below and give us your record prediction in the comment section!