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Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings odds, expert picks, how to watch: A marquee NFC North matchup

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Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings odds, expert picks, how to watch: A marquee NFC North matchup


The NFC North delivers a marquee matchup when the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions. This is a significant early game in the Black and Blue Division, as the Lions are only a game behind the Vikings in a crowded race. Coming off a bye week, Minnesota is favored by a few points in this matchup.

To maintain a hot start, Minnesota needs to refine its offense. Quarterback Sam Darnold developed an instant connection with star receiver Justin Jefferson. Finding a consistent secondary receiver hasn’t been as easy. Receiver Jordan Addison is unpredictable this season and trusted tight end T.J. Hockenson remains sidelined.

The Vikings rely heavily on lead back Aaron Jones — who is also the team’s second-leading receiver. Jones exited Week 5’s win in London with a hip injury and remains questionable heading into Week 7. Minnesota traded for Houston back Cam Akers during the week — further fueling speculation about Jones’ health. If Jones can’t consistently contribute, Ty Chandler will be thrust into the Minnesota backfield.

Detroit’s defense provides elite pass coverage with a ball-hawking unit that is sixth in interception rate. But Aidan Hutchinson’s injury diminished a Lions pass rush that was 17th in defensive sack percentage when the NFL’s sack leader was healthy.

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Blowout wins over Seattle and Dallas have the Lions offense playing with maximum bravado. The NFL’s top-scoring offense spreads the ball around with a top-four rushing and passing attack. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs form the league’s top backfield tandem. Quarterback Jared Goff has strong connections with receivers Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

Minnesota needs the NFL’s No. 2 rushing defense and its turnover-producing secondary (No. 1 interception rate) to make plays and slow down a confident Detroit offense.

All odds from BetMGM. Looking for NFL tickets? Find them here.

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Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings odds

How to watch Lions vs. Vikings

  • Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis
  • Time: 1 p.m. ET
  • TV: Fox
  • Streaming: Fubo (try for free)

Expert picks for Lions vs. Vikings

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(Photo of Justin Jefferson: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)



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The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged

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The first Detroit Lions OC candidate has emerged


Blough is only two years into his coaching career after retiring from playing after the 2023 season. He has spent the last two seasons as the Washington Commanders’ assistant quarterbacks coach, helping young quarterback Jayden Daniels emerge as a strong franchise player for Washington. Late in the 2025 season, Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard took the Stanford head coaching job, leaving Blough to serve as the interim quarterbacks coach for the rest of the season.

While backing up Jared Goff in Detroit, Blough was often described by the coaching staff as an excellent backup and strong offensive mind.

“I love the kid, if I’m being totally honest with you,” Campbell said back in 2021. “He’s just a little football player. And when I say that, I mean that in the highest regard. Look, he’s smart. He’s extremely smart. He knows where to go with the football, I love his timing. He knows how to command the huddle, he communicates well and on top of that, he’s a hell of a dude, by the way. He just is. So, he has not disappointed. He’s doing a good job. He’s out there competing with the rest of those guys.”

As of now, this is the only known candidate for the Lions’ offensive coordinator position, but it’s still early in the process. When more candidates emerge, we’ll have a tracker so you can see all of the names in one place.

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Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis

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Popular Detroit sports columnist announces stage 4 cancer diagnosis


Longtime Detroit sports radio host and columnist Pat Caputo has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, he announced Monday.

Caputo, a host on Detroit’s 97.1 The Ticket, last published a column on Nov. 7. On Monday, he explained the reason behind his absence.

“For those wondering where I’ve been: I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, commonly referred to as a “death sentence” and had two other serious ailments which put me in ICU for several days,” Caputo wrote in a post to X. “It was sudden. I’ve literally been on my back for weeks. Bless you all.”

Caputo, 66, became a well-known personality in Detroit sports media during his time as an award-winning columnist for The Oakland Press from 1983-2020, according to the Detroit Free Press. He also was previously part of WXYT’s “Evening Sports” broadcast, and is an official voter for the Baseball Hall of Fame and college football’s Heisman Trophy award, according to his X bio.

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Caputo is nicknamed “The Book” for his impressive memory retaining sports stats and information, according to FOX 2 in Detroit, where he has been a regular guest on its “Sports Works” broadcast.

Caputo’s social media announcement regarding his health drew support from fellow sports media professionals, including Brad Galli, sports director at WXYZ Detroit, and ESPN’s Dan Wetzel and Dave Pasch.

“Pat, we’re praying for [you],” Galli wrote. “Awful awful awful to read this, man. God bless you.”

“Legend. Stay strong my friend. So much support out here for you,” Wetzel posted.

“Book, praying for you my friend. So sorry to hear this,” Pasch wrote.

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Murder trial starts this week in death of Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover

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Murder trial starts this week in death of Detroit neurosurgeon Devon Hoover


DETROIT (WXYZ) — Desmond Burks’ murder trial starts this week. On Monday, he attended his pre-trial hearing. Burks faces first-degree murder, felony murder and larceny charges in the death of Dr. Devon Hoover.

The prominent Detroit neurosurgeon was found dead in his attic in April 2023 after Detroit police performed a wellness check. Investigators said he had been shot twice in the head and his body was wrapped in a blood-soaked carpet.

Watch Darren Cunningham’s video report below:

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Trial set to begin in Dr. Devon Hoover murder case

At the pre-trial, Judge Paul Cusick set the tone for how he expects the trial to go. It could last several weeks, according to court administration.

“Obviously, there’s always been respect shown to this court by the defendant and attorneys in this case, and all of the witnesses need to show the respect that is going to be required. There will be no outburst from any witnesses or anyone else during the proceedings,” the judge said.

Cusick discussed scheduling for the trial, starting with jury selection Wednesday and outlined restrictions for news media.

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“Media is prohibited from showing and/or publishing the faces of any civilian witnesses not employed by the government,” he read.

WXYZ

Those same restrictions were in place during the preliminary hearing.

At the prelim, a number of people testified that they were former lovers of Desmond Burks.

Those men and women described Burks as a hustler and said he would send them money from an unknown Cash App and then have them send the money back to his Cash App.

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Watch our coverage of the third day of the preliminary hearing below:

Day 3 concludes in Desmond Burks’ preliminary hearing in murder of Dr. Devon Hoover

Burks is accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Hoover via credit card and fraudulent bank transactions, and Burks allegedly used other people to execute his plan.

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Investigators said text messages revealed Burks had an intimate relationship with Hoover and was sometimes paid for sexual services.

Watch our coverage of the second day of the preliminary hearing below:

Mystery backpack focus of testimony during day 2 of Hoover preliminary hearing

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Testimony from the prelim also revealed that authorities zeroed in on Burks, in part, through cellphone records and surveillance footage involving Hoover’s stolen truck.

During the trial, we may hear from a close relative of Burks who identified him in surveillance footage during the prelim. The footage allegedly shows Burks walking away from Hoover’s stolen vehicle.

Watch our coverage of the first day of the preliminary hearing below:

Preliminary hearing begins for man charged with killing Dr. Devon Hoover

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The jury selection process is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.





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