Vikings vs. Lions Prediction: Sunday Night Football Betting Picks, Updated Odds for NFL Week 18
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions will square off at Ford Field tonight with the NFC North title on the line. Can Jared Goff and the Lions clinch the No. 1 seed with a huge home win? Matt McCuen think so, and explains why in his Vikings vs. Lions prediction for Sunday Night Football.
Matt McCuen - January 5, 2025, 4:22 PM EST
4 minVikings vs. Lions Prediction: Sunday Night Football Betting Picks, Updated Odds for NFL Week 18
The Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions will meet on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field. While most games are meaningless today, this contest will be crucial. The winner of this game will earn the number one seed in the NFC and home field through the postseason. The loser of this game will fall to the 5th seed, and will have to play a road playoff game next weekend.
Minnesota enters the game with a record of 14-2, tied for the second-best record in football. There has been no bigger surprise in football this season than the Vikings.
Entering the season, most people believed the Vikings would finish toward the bottom of the NFC North. Last season, the Vikings posted a 7-10 record. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has done as good of a job as any coach in football this season. Minnesota has been on a roll lately, winning nine straight games.
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Vikings vs. Lions Odds
Vikings vs. Lions Date, Time, and Where To Watch
- Date: January 5, 2024
- Time: 8:20 pm ET
- Where To Watch: NBC
Vikings vs. Lions Prediction
Veteran Sam Darnold has thrown for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Aaron Jones leads the rushing attack with 1,093 yards and five touchdowns. Justin Jefferson has enjoyed a strong season with 1,479 yards and ten touchdowns.
The Lions begin this game with a record of 14-2. The season has been magical for this Lions team. Entering the season, the Lions were the betting favorite to win the division. Detroit snapped a three decade drought last year when they won a playoff game after winning the division.
The Lions are a 6-2 playing at home this season. Additionally, the Lions have a perfect 5-0 record against NFC North teams this season. The Lions already beat the Vikings, 31-29, back on October 20th.
Former first-overall pick Jared Goff has thrown for 4,398 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Jahmyr Gibbs has scampered for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns. Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the team with 1,186 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
Vikings vs. Lions Pick
- Pick: Detroit Lions ML -145 Get oddschecker+ right now for just $0.99 per month. Don't miss out on this first month deal!
The Lions will take care of business tonight.
Home-field advantage will play a key role in this game tonight.
Goff and the Lions' offense have been the best in football this season, averaging 33.3 points per game.
Detroit will control the pace of this game tonight and earn the number-one seed in the NFC.
