Vikings vs Lions Predictions: 3 Player Props and Best Bet for Sunday, November 2

An NFC North battle will highlight this week’s NFL evening slate as the Minnesota Vikings (3-4) head to Ford Field on Sunday to take on the Detroit Lions (5-2).

Minnesota has struggled this season. The Vikings have lost three of their past four games, including a 37-10 drubbing by the Los Angeles Chargers last week. After making the playoffs last season, Minnesota has a lot of work to do before being in contention again this year.

Detroit looks primed to return to the NFC playoffs. The Lions have reeled off wins in five of their past six games, and last week’s 24-9 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was their most impressive outcome this season.

Will the Lions wreck the Vikings’ rally ship on Sunday? We’ll cover that and provide individuals with our top three player prop bets for this NFC North matchup.

Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy UNDER 214.5 Passing Yards

After suffering an ankle injury during Week 2, the Vikings did not rush quarterback J.J. McCarthy back to action. Instead, they relied on veteran Carson Wentz to carry the offensive load. This week, the two signal-callers will swap positions: Wentz will be sent to the Injured Reserve (IR) list and needs shoulder surgery, while McCarthy has been cleared to play.

It’s a helluva time to return for McCarthy. The second-year quarterback faces the Lions for the first time in his career. It’s a daunting – but not overwhelming – matchup for the 6-foot-3 quarterback as Detroit has allowed over 228 passing yards in all but two games thus far.

Still, asking McCarthy to lead the squad will be problematic. He’s yet to eclipse 200 passing yards in a regular-season game, and Sunday’s contest will be no different. Take the signal-caller to fall below his 214.5-yard mark and fail to cover his player prop total.

Detroit Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs OVER 74.5 Rushing Yards

Third-year veteran Jahmyr Gibbs has answered any questions about the Lions’ ability to run the football with an emphatic yes. The 5-foot-9 athlete has 526 rushing yards on 104 carries, and he’s scored six times on the ground through seven contests.

Gibbs is the type of running back the Vikings hate to see on the opposite sidelines. Last year, he finished with 38 carries for 255 yards when playing Minnesota. Expect the running back to significantly add to that total on Sunday as he covers his player prop bet mark.

Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson UNDER 73.5 Receiving Yards

Justin Jefferson is proving why he’s one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL. Outside of a dismal performance to open the season, the 6-foot-1 receiver has finished with at least 74 yards in every other contest. For the year, he’s caught 41 passes for 602 yards, but he’s scored only once in 2025.

Jefferson’s opponents are among the best at defending the pass. Only two wide receivers have eclipsed the 70-yard mark against Detroit. It’s hard to see McCarthy’s third game of the year being his best, especially after his long layoff. Take Jefferson to finish below the 74-yard mark on Sunday, failing to cover his prop bet total.

Best Bet: Detroit (-8.5)

Last year, the Vikings could rely on their defense to keep games close. This year, that hasn’t been the case. Minnesota has allowed 23.1 points per outing, and the squad has allowed multiple 200-yard rushing performances through seven contests.

That’s bad news when one of the league’s best running attacks is your opponent. The Lions should control the line of scrimmage, bullying their NFC North rival for a two-score victory on Sunday.