NFL Week 9 picks: Score predictions for Lions vs. Vikings

The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will face off on Sunday in a game that will be largely overlooked by most. The Lions, at 3-4, are a long ways from proving they belong in the playoff conversation, especially after being thoroughly defeated on their home field last week by the Indianapolis Colts. And while the Vikings are coming off a promising win over the Green Bay Packers, their season was already buried after a 1-5 start to 2020.

But divisional games always have an extra bit of intensity, and I reckon this week will be no different. The Lions will have the extra motivation of ending their eight-game losing streak in divisional games. Meanwhile, the Vikings will look to pick up their second NFC North win in as many weeks, maybe even keeping long-shot odds to save their season.

Our staff, however, is not feeling great about the Lions’ chances this week. Of our 13 staff members, just three are taking Detroit on Sunday: Alex, Jerry and Andrew. The rest of us have the four-point favorite Vikings in Week 9.

Here’s a look at our exact score predictions:

Kellie Rowe (4-3): Vikings win
Ryan Mathews (4-3): 23-17 Vikings
Kyle Yost (4-3): 30-24 Vikings
Chris Perfett (4-3): 6-4 Vikings
Justin Simon (3-4): 24-13 Vikings (read Justin’s preview here)
Alex Reno (3-4): 30-18 Lions
Jerry Mallory (3-4): 27-20 Lions
Jeremy Reisman (3-4): 31-20 Vikings (read Jeremy’s preview here)
Andrew Kato (2-5): 20-17 Lions
John Whiticar (2-5): 33-23 Vikings
Mansur Shaheen (2-5): Vikings win
Mike Payton (2-5): 21-13 Vikings
Hamza Baccouche (1-5): 31-17 Vikings

Now it’s time for you to make your pick: