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Vikings vs. Lions Early Picks, Predictions & Odds for SNF Week 18

Connor Cooper

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 12:32 PM EST • 3 min 11 sec read.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shake hands as we make our Vikings vs. Lions early picks.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell shake hands after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo by Matt Krohn / Imagn Images.

The 2024 NFL season may have literally saved its best for last as the Minnesota Vikings visit the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 18.

Kickoff from Ford Field with the NFC’s top seed at stake is set for 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock).

Detroit is a short favorite to claim its second straight NFC North title, but Minnesota enters on a nine-game winning streak.

With so little separating these 14-2 teams, our Vikings vs. Lions early picks and odds are targeting a play on the total instead. 

As the week progresses, we'll have plenty of plays for this game in our Week 18 NFL predictions.

My early Vikings vs. Lions prediction: Total

NFL picks made Tuesday; odds subject to change. Our NEW NFL player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Prediction: Over 57

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.4%

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This total will probably be the highest of the 2024 NFL season, and I’m still not convinced it’s set high enough. Three of Detroit’s last four games have featured at least 60 points, the Lions have scored at least 34 points in six of their last seven home games, and the Vikings haven’t been held under 27 points since Week 13.

Both teams rely heavily on their aerial attacks (Sam Darnold and Jared Goff both threw for three touchdowns and 300-plus yards last week), minimizing the amount of time that melts off the clock via the rushing game.

It’s also no secret that Detroit head coach Dan Campbell doesn’t settle for field goals, and Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell likely won’t either after seeing rookie kicker Will Reichard miss a pair of kicks last week against Green Bay.

These teams have a history of playing high-scoring games, going Over the total in five of their last six meetings — four of which featured at least 57 points. With so much on the line on Sunday Night Football, I don’t expect any difference in what promises to be a back-and-forth affair throughout.

Don't miss our guide for how to bet on NFL or this week's best sportsbook promos.

Vikings vs. Lions live odds

See the NFL odds from our best NFL betting sites for every Week 18 game.

Moneyline

  • Lions best odds: -145 via Caesars | Implied probability: 59.2%
  • Vikings best odds: +135 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 42.6%

Almost all of our best sports betting apps made Detroit a moneyline favorite in the -150 range, with Caesars’ -145 edging out FanDuel’s -146 for the best price. BetMGM stood out as the best option for Vikings moneyline bettors, however, dangling an attractive +135 on the visitors.

Spread

  • Lions best odds: -2.5 (-115) via Caesars
  • Vikings best odds: +2.5 (+102) via FanDuel

The Lions have been favored by a field goal or more in 18 of their last 19 games at home, but that might not be the case in Sunday’s regular-season finale.

Detroit’s defensive issues and Minnesota’s impressive performance Sunday versus the Green Bay Packers caused this line to drop below -3 by Tuesday morning. Vikings backers could take back plus money with Minnesota +2.5 at FanDuel, while Caesars (-115) was the best place to bet Lions -2.5. 

Over/Under

  • Over best odds: 57 (-110) via DraftKings
  • Under best odds: 58 (-110) via BetMGM

The total opened at 52.5 but was re-adjusted to the high 50s after Detroit and the San Francisco 49ers combined to score 74 points on Monday Night Football.

With three of Detroit’s last four games featuring at least 60 points, don’t be surprised if this total continues to climb throughout the week. DraftKings still provided Over bettors with the chance to grab 57 as of Tuesday morning, compared to 57.5 at FanDuel and 58 at BetMGM and Caesars.

Vikings vs. Lions injuries to watch

How to watch Vikings vs. Lions

  • When: Sunday, Jan. 5
  • Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
  • Where: Ford Field (Detroit)
  • How to watch: NBC/Peacock
  • Weather: Indoors
  • Favorite: Lions -2.5 (-110 via Caesars)

NFL betting odds pages

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Written By:
Connor Cooper
Connor Cooper has written about sports in various capacities for more than 20 years, including as a newspaper reporter, sports handicapper, and betting analyst. He originates hockey plays every day throughout the NHL season, regularly bets his own opinions on NFL and college football, and relies on handicappers he trusts to find daily action in basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, and golf. A diehard Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan growing up in the Toronto area, Connor quickly shed all his allegiances once he realized that making money betting on sports was much more fun than cheering for his favorite team. Connor won’t hesitate to bet on — or against — anybody if that’s where the value lies. In addition to analyzing recent and season-long statistics, Connor always looks to account for the human element when breaking down games, weighing situational and motivational factors into his handicapping process. He's also a big believer in finding creative ways to generate more value, constantly scouring BetMGM, Caesar, FanDuel, and other regulated sportsbooks' derivative markets such as team totals, alternate lines, and player props.