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Week 8: Vikings vs Lions, Nov. 1, 2026 – how to watch, preview, injury report, predictions

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
Ford Field, Detroit, MI
November 1, 2026 – 6:00 p.m. GMT

Harrison Smith made history with his 40th career interception against the Colts last week

The Vikings travel to Detroit this weekend for possibly their toughest test of the schedule so far, taking on the Lions at Ford Field. The game comes off the back of the Vikings’ sixth straight win this season, putting them on top of the NFC North ahead of the third-placed Lions, who sit at 4–2.

With the Packers winning on Thursday Night Football, both teams will be keen to put another notch in the W column. The Vikings will go into this one with plenty of confidence though – in addition to being undefeated so far in 2026, they swept the Lions in the series last season.

For all the latest team news ahead of Sunday’s game, as well as how to watch it in the UK and Ireland, read on…

How to watch Vikings vs. Lions

  • Vikings vs. Lions date: Sunday, November 1st
  • Vikings vs. Lions kickoff time: 6:00 p.m. GMT
  • Vikings vs. Lions channel: 5 Action / NFL Game Pass on DAZN (stream)

This game has been selected to be shown on 5 Action in the early Sunday window. This means it won’t be affected by blackouts and will also be available to watch live and in full via NFL Game Pass on DAZN. The United States returns to standard time on Sunday morning, so the game will kick off at 6 p.m. GMT.

What uniforms are the Vikings wearing against the Lions?

As the road team, the Vikings have second choice of uniforms for Sunday’s game. The Lions have chosen to wear their Rivalries uniforms, featuring light grey jerseys and pants, and black socks. This means the Vikings will likely wear their primary purple jerseys with purple pants and white socks.

Ones to watch

Blake Cashman was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Colts

Yet again the Vikings defense was the star of the show against the Indianapolis Colts, and while Harrison Smith was able to come away with a landmark interception to seal the game, it was Blake Cashman who dominated proceedings. The linebacker managed 12 total tackles (including 2 tackles for loss), 2 sacks and 4 passes defended, coming away with the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.

Detroit have a formidable offense – running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the league in touchdowns with 9, while quarterback Jared Goff has a league-high 298.0 passing yards per game. Cashman will need to be on top of his game again to help stifle the likes of them, as well as receivers Amon-Ra St Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta. That said, only the Seattle Seahawks have given up fewer passing yards than the Vikings’ 155.0 per game.

But while the Vikings defense has excelled in the passing game, it’s been the Achilles heel of this Vikings offense. Kyler Murray’s 150 yards was his fewest since his concussion against the Packers, and Justin Jefferson is yet to have a 100-yard receiving game this season.

If there’s one team the Vikings should be able to turn that around against, it’s the Lions. A polar opposite to the Vikings, the Lions have given up a league-worst 291.8 passing yards per game.

Previous meetings

J. J. McCarthy contributed three touchdowns in the Vikings’ win at Ford Field last season

This will be the 130th meeting between the Vikings and the Lions, with the Vikings holding an 82–45–2 record in games between them, including a sweep of the series in 2025. However, their win at Ford Field was their first over the Lions in six attempts, and their first in Detroit since the 2020 season.

That road win last season – almost a year to the day before this season’s encounter – saw J. J. McCarthy lead the Vikings to a 27–24 victory, in which he threw two touchdowns and ran for another to take the Vikings to 4–4 on the season. A victory on Sunday would see the Vikings claim back-to-back wins in Detroit for the first time since a four-game streak in 2017–2020.

Vikings team news

After the injury he suffered in the fourth quarter against the Colts, Aaron Jones (knee) was the major focus of the Vikings’ injury report this week. After missing Wednesday’s practice, he was slowly eased back into action and was a full participant by Friday.

The only Viking to have an injury designation for Sunday is S Jay Ward, who was limited on Friday with a knee injury and is questionable to face the Lions. Offensive linemen Joe Huber and Brian O’Neill were also nursing knee injuries earlier in the week, but were full participants on Thursday and Friday. TE Gavin Bartholomew missed Thursday’s session but returned to full participation on Friday.

Lions team news

S Kerby Joseph (knee) is the only Lion to be ruled out ahead of Sunday’s contest, having been limited in practice all week as he returns from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Vikings fans will be glad not to see him take the field as it was Joseph whose low tackle caused T. J. Hockenson’s ACL injury back in 2023.

CB Roger McCreary (foot) is the only other player with an injury designation for Detroit. He was limited on Friday and will be questionable for Sunday’s game. Despite appearing on the injury report earlier in the week, the likes of RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Amon-Ra St Brown, T Penei Sewell and EDGE Aidan Hutchinson should all be fit to play.

Score predictions

  • Darren: Vikings 13, Lions 28
  • TPJ: Vikings 24, Lions 21

Let us know your score predictions. Send us an email at UKVikingsFanClub@gmail.com or get in touch via any of our social media channels.