Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Preview, Odds & Prediction, 1–07–2024

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4 min readJan 5, 2024

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Minnesota Vikings (7–9) vs. Detroit Lions (11–5)

The Detroit Lions will host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Minnesota heads into this matchup losers of three straight as they hope to end their season with a win over a division rival. Detroit has won two of three and heads into Week 18 off a controversial loss to the Cowboys last Saturday.

Vikings vs. Lions Game Info

Date: Sunday, January 7, 2023
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: Ford Field
Spread: Minnesota +3, Detroit -3
Moneyline: Minnesota +154, Detroit -184
Total: 45.5

Vikings Betting Preview

The Vikings (7–6–3 ATS) came into the season with high expectations, but they faltered in the second half of the season due to injuries to key players. They have lost three straight games and will try to close out the season with a win over the Lions and enter the off-season on a positive note. Minnesota lost to Green Bay by a score of 33–10 in their last game were outgained by a total of 470–211 and turned the ball over two times in the game. The Viking's offense is averaging 20.3 points per game while allowing 20.8 points per game. The biggest question mark will be whether this team will show up to play knowing their season is all but over.

Lions Betting Preview

The Detroit Lions (11–5 ATS) enter Week 18 after they lost to a heartbreaker to Dallas by a score of 20–19 last week. The Lions outgained Dallas by a total of 420–384 but both teams turned the ball over two times in the game. The Lions will have to clean up the turnovers as they enter the Playoffs. Detroit defeated Minnesota by a score of 30–24 and Denver by a score of 42–17 in the two games before Dallas and have covered the spread in four of the last five games. The Detroit offense is scoring 26.9 points per game with 255.6 passing yards per game and 140.1 rushing yards per game. The Detroit defense is giving up 23.4 points per game this season and while they are good against the run, allowing just 88 yards per game, they are susceptible to the passing game, allowing 240 yards through the air.

Free Pick

Detroit has the #3 seed pretty much locked up but you have to think they have a bad taste left in their mouth after last week's loss to Dallas. I think Dan Campbell will want to get his starters some playing time just to see some positive momentum and perhaps a couple of scoring drives. The Lions are 6–0 in their last six games at Ford Field following a loss and have covered the spread in each of their last six games against the Vikings. I think the Lions have a little more to play for as they aim for a 12-win season entering the playoffs. I’m not sure the Vikings have much fight left in them coming off a 23-point loss at home to the Packers. Regardless of the Lions sit some starters, look for this team to play with some fight against a division rival and end the regular season with a win. Take the Lions -3 at home on Sunday.