Free NFL Week 18 Pick: Vikings vs. Lions Odds
Looking for Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions free NFL picks & NFL odds? NFL betting sees the Vikings taking on the Lions on Sunday, January 5th at the Ford Field. Cappers Picks provides complimentary NFL Football handicapping picks all NFL season long including all NFL Week 18 games so stay tuned for more FREE NFL predictions like this Minnesota Detroit Sunday Night Football matchup.
NFL Handicapping Analysis: Week 18
Sunday Night Football on NBC
(14-2) Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (14-2)
Date: Sunday, January 5th
Time: 8:20 ET
Venue: Ford Field, Detroit MI
NFL ATS Betting Lines: (BET NOW!) Minnesota +3 | Detroit -3
NFL Moneyline Odds: Minnesota +129 | Detroit -154
NFL Betting Total: O/U 56
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Get ready for a thrilling Week 18 NFC North showdown between the Vikings and Lions, with both teams sitting at an electric 14-2 and battling for playoff positioning.
The Lions, riding a four-game win streak over Minnesota, have turned the tide in this historic rivalry, but don’t count out a red-hot Vikings squad that’s 9-0 straight up in their last nine games.
Ford Field will be rocking on Sunday night, and with a total set at a sky-high 56, this game promises fireworks.
Over the last three times these two teams have played, the Lions have the leg up at 3-0. The Lions also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 3-0.
These games averaged a combined total of 54 points per game leading to an over/under record of 3-0.
The Lions’ high-powered offense has hit its stride, especially against Minnesota, with the total going over in six straight meetings.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings head into week 18 riding a nine-game winning streak, which includes a 27-25 victory over the Packers in week 17. This win improved their record to 14-2, but they still sit 2nd in the NFC North with a 4-1 division record.
Our power rankings have Minnesota 6th, and they have a 34.9% chance of winning the division and a 100% chance of making the playoffs.
Against the spread, the Vikings are 11-4-1 and have covered in four straight games. In week 17, they narrowly covered as 0.5-point underdogs against Green Bay.
Their O/U record is 7-9, with the over hitting in two consecutive games.
Minnesota Vikings Stats
Sam Darnold has been on fire over the last three weeks, culminating in a 377-yard, 3-touchdown performance in week 17 against the Packers, where he posted a passer rating of 116. In week 16, he threw for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns, and in week 15, he had 231 yards passing.
Justin Jefferson just missed the 100-yard mark in week 17, with 8 catches for 92 yards, after his 144-yard, 2-touchdown game in week 16.
Heading into week 18, the Vikings rank 10th in our offensive power rankings. They are 9th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 26.4, and 12th in passing yards per game, with 352.2. Minnesota has been strong in the 1st quarter, ranking 2nd in the league in points scored.
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In the Vikings’ 27-25 win over the Packers, Minnesota’s defense allowed just 167 passing yards on 19 completions. They held Green Bay to 63.3% passing and limited them to 104 rushing yards on 24 attempts.
The Vikings defended the pass well, giving up only one touchdown and holding the Packers to an average of 5.6 yards per attempt.
Despite their strong performance, the Vikings allowed the Packers to convert 57.1% of their third down attempts.
Minnesota’s defense also recorded three sacks and had a positive quarterback hit differential, but they did lose the tackles for loss battle by -6.
Detroit Lions
With a 14-2 record, the Lions sit atop both the NFC North and our NFL power rankings. After a week 15 loss to the Bills, Detroit bounced back with wins over the Bears and 49ers, including a 40-34 victory over San Francisco in week 17.
The Lions were favored by 3.5 points and covered the spread, bringing their ATS record to 11-4-1.
Detroit has a +12.5 scoring margin and has hit the over in four straight games. Their O/U record stands at 9-6-1. Lions games have averaged 54.1 points, compared to an average line of 50.1.
Detroit Lions Stats
Jared Goff has been on fire, posting passer ratings of 118, 136, and 132 over his last three games. In week 17, he threw for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns against the 49ers, following a 336-yard, 3-touchdown performance in week 16 and a 494-yard, 5-touchdown game in week 15.
Goff has not thrown an interception in these three games. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 117 yards on 18 carries in week 17, and Jameson Williams led the team with 5 catches for 77 yards.
Heading into week 18, the Lions are 2nd in our offensive power rankings.
They lead the NFL in scoring with 33.3 points per game and rank 2nd in passing yards, averaging 266.1 per game. Detroit is 3rd in the league in 3rd-down conversions, with a 47.9% success rate.
In their 40-34 win over the 49ers, the Lions’ defense gave up 400 yards through the air, with San Francisco completing 75% of their passes. They defended 18 rushing attempts, allowing 75 yards on the ground.
Despite giving up a lot of yards, the Lions’ defense came up with two key interceptions and two sacks.
Opposing offenses are finding success on third downs against the Lions, as the 49ers converted 62.5% of their third down attempts in the most recent game.
Additionally, the Lions allowed the 49ers to average 10 yards per pass attempt and score three passing touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions NFL Football Betting Trends
- The Vikings are 4-1 in their last five games as an underdog.
- Conversely, the Lions are 2-2-1 ATS in their last five games as a favorite.
- Also, the Vikings are 4-3-3 ATS in their last ten road games.
- On the other side, the Lions have gone 9-1 across their last ten home games.
- Over the Vikings’ last 3 road games, the over/under record is 2-1.
- The Lions’ have an over/under record of 2-1 in their last 3 games at home.
Vikings vs. Lions Line Movement
| Open-ML | Live-ML | Open-Spread | Live-Spread | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | +170 | +129 | +5 | +3 |
| Lions | -205 | -154 | -5 | -3 |
4* Free Week 18 NFL Betting Prediction: Minnesota +3
The Vikings have been road warriors, winning six of their last seven away games. Detroit is favored by three, but Minnesota’s ATS record (4-1 in their last five) signals a team ready to challenge that line.
The Lions have momentum, but the Vikings’ dominance against NFC opponents (6-0 SU in their last six) adds a layer of intrigue.
Our pick vs. the spread in this week 18 matchup between the Vikings and Lions is to take the Vikings to cover as road underdogs. Right now, the point spread lines have the Vikings at +3, and we have them winning by a score of 34-30.
For an over/under pick, we really like the over, with the line sitting at 56 points.
Our projections have these teams combining for 64 points, making the over a great value pick.
This game is everything Week 18 football should be—high stakes, explosive offenses, and two juggernauts vying for supremacy.
Whether you’re betting the spread, moneyline, or the over, this is a must-watch matchup for NFL fans and gamblers alike!
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Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions NFL Betting Tweet Of The Day
Stay the course pic.twitter.com/uistVZ8f0Z
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) January 5, 2025
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