Vikings-Lions Week 8 score predictions from the Bring Me The Sports staff

This week, the 6-0 Vikings face easily the toughest task of their season so far. They’re headed to Detroit to take on Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and the Lions’ high-powered offense. It’ll be a battle of strength on strength when Detroit has the ball, and a clash of weaknesses when Kyler Murray and the Vikings are on offense. This will be a fascinating game with all kinds of implications on the NFC North race. Here are our staff writers’ score predictions. Will Ragatz: Vikings 27, Lions 20 Yes, I have my concerns about the Vikings’ offense. They haven’t run the ball very well. Kyler Murray doesn’t look to throw over the middle of the field much. But this is a great week for Minnesota to show some life on that side of the ball, facing a Lions defense that has really struggled. Defensively, Brian Flores’ group will give up some chunk plays to Detroit’s elite weapons, but they’ll also get to Jared Goff several times. As is often the case, this one probably comes down to turnovers. Until proven otherwise, I’m going to keep picking Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings to find a way to go 1-0 each week. Joe Nelson: Lions 23, Vikings 16 Detroit is right there with Minnesota, San Francisco and Chicago as the top teams in the NFC. Judging their defense has been unfair, but with Brian Branch back and Kerby Joseph possibly making his season debut on Sunday, the Lions are on the verge of being elite up the middle. Two ball-hawking safeties is bad news for a QB who might not be able to see over the beef eaters up front. My brain tells me this one goes the wrong way for the purple, with another Kyler Murray dud heating up Kevin O’Connell’s seat and setting the stage for a noncommittal postgame press conference in which KOC refuses to name his Week 9 starting QB. Tony Liebert: Lions 27, Vikings 17 The Vikings’ defense continues to perform like one of the best units in the NFL, but they face one of their toughest tests to date this week against the Lions’ offense, which ranks second in total yards per game. With this game taking place in Detroit, Minnesota might need Kyler Murray’s best game of the season in order to keep pace with the Lions’ high-paced offense, and I have my doubts that we’ll see that. Minnesota’s perfect season ends this week at Ford Field. Jonathan Harrison: Vikings 17, Lions 10 Can the Vikings’ offense finally get things going? They were headed in the right direction before the bye, but then laid a stinker against the Colts last week. The Lions’ defense has been pretty poor all season but still will make things difficult for Kyler Murray. On the other side of the ball, this will be a big test for how real Brian Flores’ defense is. If they can shut down an explosive Lions offense, with all the weapons they possess, then it’s not really going to matter too much what the Vikings’ offense does, as long as they don’t turn the ball over. I’m believing in the Flores’ defense and taking the Vikings here. Adam Uren: Vikings 20, Lions 17 For several weeks now I’ve predicted the Vikings’ offense will start firing and it just … doesn’t. Screw it, the Vikings will win anyway. Every week we expect Brian Flores’ defense to ultimately let through one more touchdown than the offense (well, Will Reichard) is able to make up and every week the D stands strong. Are the Lions the best offense the Vikings have played so far? Yes. Will it matter? I’m banking on “no.” You can find our picks from last week here . Season records for our pickers: Joe Nelson: 6-0 Will Ragatz: 5-1 Jonathan Harrison: 5-1 Tony Liebert: 4-2 Adam Uren: 4-2 Related Articles FOX sending Tom Brady, top broadcast crew to Vikings-Lions Two players back at practice, one new DNP on Vikings’ Thursday injury report Splashy trades from NFC powers add pressure on Vikings to keep pace Cashman wins Vikings’ latest POTW award; two TEs added to practice squad This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.