The Detroit Lions (5-2) roll into Week 9 fueled by momentum—five wins in their last six heading into a well-timed bye week for rest and reset. Home at Ford Field against the Minnesota Vikings (3-4), this NFC North showdown is about more than bragging rights—Detroit could reshape the division race while Minnesota scrambles for relevance. Detroit’s offense has been humming, averaging over 30 points per game, with Jahmyr Gibbs providing spark on the ground and Jared Goff staying sharp in the pocket. After resting most of their key offensive weapons during the bye, the Lions are expected to come out swinging—especially up the middle, exploiting a Vikings run defense that’s shown cracks. Minnesota, meanwhile, is undergoing transition. Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy looks poised to return after injury, but his limited experience combined with a struggling offense has magnified every schematic flaw. The betting world is putting Detroit in the driver’s seat: an 8.5-point favorite with an over/under set at 48.5. History backs up the chalk—Lions have dominated this rivalry, not just in wins but against the spread in recent matchups. For sharp bettors, Detroit plus the Over is looking enticing: their offensive output paired with Minnesota’s recent porous defense could rightfully drive a high total. Keep eyes on turnovers and red-zone efficiency—if Detroit brings the intensity early, the gap could get ugly fast. For Minnesota, a win here might rescue their season; for Detroit, it’s about making a statement that they’re still the team to beat in the NFC North.