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The Minnesota Vikings (14-2) and Detroit Lions (14-2) play the final game of the NFL regular season on the Week 18 edition of Sunday Night Football. Kickoff from Ford Field in Detroit, Mich., is scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. This SNF game will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC, as well as the NFC North crown.
The Lions are 2.5-to-3-point favorites on the spread over the Vikings (depending on the sportsbook); the game total consensus is over/under 56.5 points (-110o / -110u). The Lions are -160 moneyline favorites and the Vikings are +135 ‘dogs.
Let’s get into our Vikings vs Lions predictions, Sunday Night Football parlay and props.
Vikings vs Lions Predictions
Vikings vs Lions Odds
- Spread: Vikings +3 (-120), Lions -3 (+100)
- Over/Under: 56.5 (-110o / -110u)
- Moneyline: Vikings +135, Lions -160
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook as of Sunday at 6:50 p.m. ET. Get the latest NFL odds here.
Vikings vs Lions Parlay
You can parlay our 3 picks at DraftKings for a +430 SGP on Thursday night.
- Lions -2.5 (-128)
- Over 56.5 (-118)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown Anytime Touchdown (-110)
Sunday Night Football ParlayOdds: +430 at DraftKings
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Vikings vs Lions Against the Spread Prediction
By Kyle Murray
I might have to go back and look, but I don’t think I’ve been wrong yet when betting the Lions to cover this season.
Sure, that is fairly easy to do as they are tied for the best against-the-spread record in the NFL, but I feel good about this team once again on Sunday Night Football.
They happen to be tied with the Vikings for the best ATS record, but I love the Lions at home to secure the No. 1 seed and the NFC North. The Lions have arguably the best offense in football, and while their defense has struggled due to injuries, they could be getting back starting linebacker Alex Anzalone (questionable) back for this game.
Additionally, the Vikings defense has struggled of late.
Since Week 10, the Lions have allowed the third-most receiving yards to wide receivers, but guess who has allowed the second most? That’s right, the Vikings.
The Lions also have the superior rushing attack, with the best offensive line in football and a top-three running back in Jahmyr Gibbs.
This game should be a shootout, and there is no team I would rather bet on in a shootout than the Lions, especially in the chaos of Ford Field.
Pick: Lions -2.5 (-120)
Vikings vs Lions Over/Under Pick
By John LanFranca
The oddsmakers have no choice but to keep raising the bar when it comes to Lions totals, but we still aren’t high enough to scare me off backing the over for SNF.
Ever since a fluky game on Thanksgiving — which saw the Lions have an abundance of second-half miscues against the Bears that resulted in a 23-20 final score — Detroit has scored 34 or more in each of its last four games. The Lions have also scored 40 or more points six times this season.
When they met the Vikings in Week 7, Minnesota boasted the top defense in the league up to that point, according to DVOA. That didn’t stop the game from turning into a shootout, as the teams combined for 60 points.
One thing I found interesting about that matchup was how both offenses operated with extreme efficiency. Neither offense ran 60 plays, yet there was nearly 800 yards of total offense.
Both quarterbacks completed over 80% of their passes, and both running games averaged well over five yards per carry. It’s almost as if the personnel on the defensive side of the ball are simply outgunned.
Fast-forward nearly three months, and the Lions defense is in much worse shape due to a rash of injuries. Over the last four games, Detroit has only five total sacks and has surrendered a passer rating of 113.2. There is no doubt the Lions defense is a liability.
Minnesota’s defense has been better than Detroit’s, but it’s worth noting it has limited just one of its last six opponents to fewer than 20 points.
Sunday night’s game is a historic meeting for the No. 1 seed, and it will not lack for entertainment value. Don’t be surprised when the score at halftime is 21-17.
Another 60+ points are in order for this game, with the winner likely ending up in the 35-38 point range.
Pick: Over 56 (-110); Bet to Over 57.5
Vikings vs Lions Player Props — Amon-Ra St. Brown
By Grant Neiffer
This game is going to be one of the best games of the season, and the total is one of the highest I’ve seen.
The Lions are generally a run-first team, but with David Montgomery out and a matchup vs. the Vikings — who have forced opponents to throw at the highest rate in the league — Jared Goff will likely be airing the ball out.
St. Brown has been the go-to red-zone target for Detroit (18 targets this season), and he has scored in 11 of 16 games. There is no reason why these odds should be at plus money considering the game environment.
Pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown Anytime Touchdown (+100)
