Lions at Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Line: Vikings -13 | Whole: 43.5
Stefon Diggs turned a family identify for a 61-yard touchdown reception within the playoffs two seasons in the past, however final yr the Vikings inexplicably turned him right into a possession receiver. Regardless of his game-changing velocity, Diggs caught 102 passes for simply 1,021 yards, giving him the worst yards per reception of any large receiver within the N.F.L. with 60 or extra catches. The group clearly determined one thing was incorrect, as a result of Diggs has turned that statistic on its head this yr, averaging a whopping 18.1 yards per catch, which ranks fourth within the N.F.L. That common might improve towards the Lions (3-8-1), who’ve already allowed 53 passing performs of 20 or extra yards this season, which is the third most of any group.
This sport represents a big swing for the Vikings (8-4): A win would give them an 83 p.c likelihood of constructing the playoffs, according to The Upshot, whereas a loss would drop their probabilities to 53 p.c. A 13-point unfold would normally be absurd, however Minnesota had a 12-point street win over the Lions in Week 7, and that was with Matthew Stafford, reasonably than David Blough, at quarterback for Detroit. The likelihood exists that the Vikings won’t prolong an anticipated blowout, however there is no such thing as a purpose to anticipate they’ll present mercy. Decide: Vikings -13
Broncos at Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Line: Texans -9 | Whole: 41.5
After watching the Texans (8-4) rating with ease towards New England’s stifling protection final week, it was affordable for oddsmakers to get awfully enthusiastic about their probabilities towards the Broncos (4-8) this week, particularly with the sport in Houston. However whereas there is no such thing as a actual concern about an upset in a sport through which Deshaun Watson, one of many N.F.L.’s greatest quarterbacks, is up towards Drew Lock, its least skilled starter on the place, there ought to be some wholesome skepticism a couple of unfold of 9 factors. In any case, Houston has received by 9 or extra simply twice this season, whereas Denver has misplaced by that many simply 3 times. Decide: Broncos +9
Titans at Raiders, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Line: Titans -2.5 | Whole: 46.5
The star of Tennessee’s offense is Derrick Henry, a terrific working again who could be completely devastating when he’s wholesome. However the Titans (7-5) have additionally obtained unbelievable manufacturing and effectivity from Ryan Tannehill since he turned their beginning quarterback. Through the Titans’ present three-game win streak, Tennessee has outscored its opponents by 108-69, with Henry speeding for 496 yards and Tannehill throwing for six touchdowns. The surge has the Titans trailing Pittsburgh within the wild-card race by only a tiebreaker. A street sport towards the struggling Raiders (6-6), who’ve scored a complete of 29 factors during the last three weeks, doesn’t appear prone to interrupt that ahead momentum. Decide: Titans -2.5