Minnesota Vikings predictions: Week 9 vs. Lions

What a difference one week makes.

We literally couldn’t find one “expert” picking the Minnesota Vikings to win at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

Then Dalvin Cook found the end zone four times and the Vikings picked up their second win of the season.

This week, Minnesota is back at home and facing a 3-4 Detroit Lions team which will be without top receiver Kenny Golladay and perhaps quarterback Matthew Stafford (but probably not).

Accordingly, the script has flipped, at least when it comes to the prognosticators. Suddenly, at least this week, Minnesota is the king of the court.

Of course, we saw what that meant in Week 8.

Here’s this week’s Vikings predictions from around the web:

Barry Wilner of the Associated Press: Vikings 30, Lions 27.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times: Vikings 28, Lions 23. “The Colts exposed the Lions on defense, but Detroit can still move the ball. The Vikings are at home and they have a modicum of confidence now, even though it’s a lost season. Big day for Dalvin Cook.”

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com: Vikings 28, Lions 23. “The Vikings won at Green Bay last week by doing it the old-fashioned way: pounding the football. They will try and do that here with Dalvin Cook and should be able to run it. The concern is the Minnesota defense. But I think they showed some improvement last week that will carry over here. Vikings win another.”

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal: Vikings 27, Lions 24. “The Vikings and Lions are similar this season, two teams stuck in the NFL’s middle that could easily have better records. I give the Vikings the edge on Sunday largely because of who’s available. Dalvin Cook is a tackle-breaking testament to a few running backs mattering, with coordinator Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking concepts taking off when he’s in the lineup. Kenny Golladay, meanwhile, is Detroit’s offensive Jenga piece. The Lions’ erratic attack isn’t explosive enough without Golladay on the field and he’s expected to miss this game with a hip injury, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Matthew Stafford was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Wednesday after having a high-risk close contact with a non-team person earlier this week, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He could be eligible to play on Sunday if his tests come back negative in the days ahead and he remains asymptomatic. I was picking the Vikings to win either way, but the score projection could change depending on Stafford’s status.”

Will Brinson of CBSSports.com: Vikings 31, Lions 21. “Tough spot for Detroit, who may not have Matthew Stafford for this game, after the QB was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, reportedly because of a close-contact situation. That makes it extremely difficult to handicap this game but I liked Minnesota before the news so I’ll take them now as well. Everything you hear about the Vikings is they’ll be absolutely feeding Dalvin Cook this week and moving forward for the next several weeks. They have a legitimate chance to get back in the division/playoff hunt but they’ll need Cook to have a nuclear stretch. I think he can.”

John Breech of CBSSports.com: Vikings 24, Lions 17.

The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote: Vikings 30, Lions 20. “Minnesota has won five straight in this division rivalry. Make it a six-pack. Motown QB Matthew Stafford likely will be missing injured top WR Kenny Golladay. Vikes RB Dalvin cook went wild in upset over Green Bay last week and has another favorable matchup in Lions’ typically porous run defense.”

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News: Vikings 31, Lions 27. “The Lions got destroyed by the Colts’ running backs while rushing and receiving. Dalvin Cook just ripped through the Packers in both capacities, so nothing has to give here. The Lions might be a little shorter on firepower while Cook’s presence will open things up for good downfield passing for Kirk Cousins to both Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson. Mike Zimmer keeps cooling his hot seat while Matt (Patricia) goes back on the burner.”

Jonathan Jones of CBSSports.com: Vikings. “The Lions had 29 rushing yards last week and now face the 11th best rushing defense. Matt Stafford was placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week but should be able to play Sunday. And the Lions only had possession for 22 minutes against Indy. Meanwhile, did you see what the Vikings did to Green Bay last week?”

Bill Bender of the Sporting News: Vikings 30, Lions 24. “Dalvin Cook put on a show against the Packers, and the Vikings have won the last three meetings with Detroit.Kirk Cousins is 4-0 against Detroit since coming to Minnesota, and he averages 250 passing yards with nine total TDs and one interception in those games. Stay with the track record.”

Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com: Vikings 31, Lions 23.

Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski: Vikings.

Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area: Lions 24, Vikings 23. “Mike Zimmer had the ideal day Sunday as all he had to do was ask Kirk Cousins to hand the ball off to Dalvin Cook and let the star running back do the rest. I don’t see Cook going for four touchdowns two weeks in a row and the Lions desperately need a win after getting shellacked by the Colts. Matthew Stafford digs deep into his late-game magic bag again and keeps Detroit alive in the playoff race.”

Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman: Vikings 31, Lions 21

Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith and Mike Florio: MDS –Vikings 30, Lions 20; Florio – Vikings 31, Lions 21.

Five of six analysts at SI.com are picking the Vikings with Albert Breer the lone dissenter.

Only one of three writers at Athlon Sports pick the Vikings to win.

Seven of 10 SB Nation writers predict the Vikings.

All seven USA Today writers pick a Vikings victory.

Five of six PennLive.com writers pick the Vikings to win.