Vikings vs. Lions Prediction
Can the Minnesota Vikings avoid a letdown performance on the road today when they take on the Detroit Lions at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
115 Minnesota Vikings at 116 Detroit Lions
Sunday, December 23, 2018
1PM ET – Ford Field
TV: FOX
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Vikings are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -6 points against the Lions. The over/under total for the game is listed at 43 points. The public betting for this game currently has 70 percent going on the Vikings on the road.
Lions limping to the end
The Detroit Lions are officially out of the playoff mix following a 14-13 loss at Buffalo last weekend. The Lions are 5-9 on the season, 3-4 at home, 8-6 against the spread and 8-6 with the under. Detroit has managed to cover the spread in its last two games.
The Lions rank in the bottom third of the NFL in offense, averaging just 20.3 points and 329.4 yards per game. Their defense has been somewhat solid throughout the year, allowing just 23.8 points and 346.1 yards per game. The team is riddled with injuries as the likes of RB Kerryon Johnson, DE Ezekiel Ansah, WR Marvin Jones and others are all on IR. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is also dealing with a back injury, but is expected to play today. He has thrown for 3,395 yards and 19 touchdowns with 11 interceptions this season. He has been sacked 37 times. Kenny Golladay has caught 64 passes for 1,005 yards and five touchdowns. Darius Slay was named to the Pro Bowl this week. He has 15 pass deflections and three interceptions.
Vikings still in playoff hunt
The Vikings kept their playoff chances going with a 41-17 win over the Miami Dolphins last weekend at home. Minnesota is 7-6-1 on the season, 2-4-1 on the road, 7-6-1 against the spread and 8-6 with the under. The Vikes have a ½ game lead on Philly in the Wild Card standings.
Minnesota has one of the top defenses in the NFL. The Vikings are giving up just 22 points per game while holding opponents to 314.3 yards per contest. Their pass defense is also quite strong, allowing only 202.9 yards per game. Danielle Hunter is leading the unit with 66 tackles and 14.5 sacks. Offensively, Minnesota is putting up 23.1 points and 358.9 yards per game. Their rushing offense ranks 29th in the league with just 95 yards per game. Kirk Cousins has thrown for 3,913 yards and 26 touchdowns this season with 10 interceptions. Adam Thielen is his leading receiver with 105 catches for 1,255 yards and nine touchdowns.
NFL Betting Trends
Detroit
The Lions are 2-5 against the spread in their last seven NFC games and 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games in December.
Minnesota
The Vikings are 13-5-1 against the spread in their last 19 games against a losing team and 20-9 ATS in their last 29 games in December.
Prediction:
The Vikings dominated Detroit in the first meeting, creating all sorts of havoc with their pass rush. The Lions offensive line isn’t any better and weaker than it was back then. With Stafford just doing what he can to stay upright, the Lions don’t pose much threat on offense. Minnesota should be able to contain that threat and then find a few scoring drives on the Detroit defense to make an easy cover.
NFL Prediction: Minnesota Vikings -6
Related: Vikings vs. Lions Total Prediction