Lions vs. Vikings Expert Picks for Christmas Day | NFL Predictions, Best Bets & Odds

The Detroit Lions (8-7) look to keep their dwindling NFL playoff hopes alive when they face the host Minnesota Vikings (7-8) for a Christmas Day clash today at 4:30 p.m. ET on Netflix. Our Lions vs. Vikings expert picks break down all of our predictions and best bets with the Lions favored by 8 points at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to open our NFL Christmas Day predictions.

🏈 Lions vs. Vikings expert picks: NFL Christmas Day

See the latest NFL odds and our experts' NFL picks for every game this season.

🔮 Lions vs. Vikings prediction

Lions -7.5 (-102) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Phil Wood: "The Lions’ secondary has allowed 317.3 passing yards per game over the last three weeks. However, with McCarthy out, Brosmer gets the start, and in his only other start this season he threw for just 126 yards and four interceptions. He’s averaging 7.1 yards per completion. The Lions have scored at least 24 points in eight of their last nine games, including against the Vikings earlier this year. Brosmer won’t be able to keep up."

See Wood's full analysis in his Lions vs. Vikings predictions, including his favorite player prop bet and the best Christmas betting trends, injury report, and more. We have more on this matchup in his NFL best bets for Christmas Day.

🔥 Best Lions vs. Vikings player prop pick

Jared Goff Under 36.5 yards longest pass completion (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Mike Spector: "Minnesota entered last week’s game against the Giants allowing a league-low 2.5 plays per game of 20-plus yards. Its defense is the perfect foil to a Lions offense that ranks second in explosive play rate (12.8%). Teams were passing against the Vikings 49.71% of the time (second-fewest leaguewide) prior to the Giants attempting just 13 passes total. Detroit should also be interested in getting its running game going after rushing for just 15 yards last week."

See Spector's full analysis in his Lions vs. Vikings player props, including his best bet for Justin Jefferson and Jahmyr Gibbs today. Our Dustin Saracini has more with his NFL player props for Christmas Day.

🙌 Best Lions vs. Vikings anytime touchdown scorer pick

David Montgomery, RB, Lions (+140) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Brenden Schaeffer: "David Montgomery’s usage has been a hot-button topic in Detroit, with Dan Campbell consistently expressing his belief that Montgomery needs more touches while seemingly forgetting that he’s the one with the power to make that happen. With the Lions entering as a 7.5-point betting favorite, I expect a game script that benefits Montgomery’s role. The Vikings have allowed 12 rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs this season, and Montgomery has scored in three of his past four games."

See Schaeffer's full analysis in his anytime touchdown scorer predictions for Lions vs. Vikings, including a +400 long-shot bet on a recurring visitor to the end zone. You can follow all of our NFL touchdown props for the biggest games every week, including our anytime touchdown scorer predictions for Christmas.

1️⃣ Best Lions vs. Vikings first touchdown scorer pick

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions (+650) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sean Tomlinson: "The Minnesota Vikings defense Amon-Ra St. Brown will face is stout against the pass while sitting third leaguewide in yards allowed per game. However, even the strength of that unit could have a hard time holding up if given poor field position early due to the play of Max Brosmer, who's replacing J.J. McCarthy under center. Brosmer threw four interceptions during his only other start this season. Another one early could easily give Brown, the Lions' red-zone target magnet (30, tied for second), a prime opportunity to capitalize."

See Tomlinson's full analysis in his first touchdown scorer predictions for Christmas Day, which features the best bet for all three games today.

🚀 Lions vs. Vikings same-game parlay

Here's a look at our best Lions vs. Vikings SGP paying out at +525 odds:

See Schaeffer's full analysis in his Lions vs. Vikings same-game parlay, including his analysis for all three SGP bets for this Christmas Day matchup. You can follow all of our NFL same-game parlay bets for the biggest games every week, including our NFL parlay picks for Christmas Day.

📊 Lions vs. Vikings odds: NFL Christmas Day

Want more NFL betting advice? Check out all of our NFL analysis and expert predictions for every game this season.

📺 How to watch Lions vs. Vikings: NFL Christmas Day

• Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
• Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
• TV: Netflix