Lions vs. Vikings Predictions & Opening Odds: Christmas Day NFL Preview
Two NFC North teams heading in different directions meet in the second of three Christmas Day games, as I make my early picks and Lions vs. Vikings predictions. Despite Detroit losing back-to-back games and Minnesota entering on a three-game winning streak, the Lions are a 5.5-point betting favorite based on the opening odds.
Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is set for 4:30 p.m., streaming on Netflix. I'm backing the Under as part of my early NFL Week 17 predictions, as this could be the highest total we see for this matchup all week.
🏈 Early Lions vs. Vikings prediction & betting preview
Stay ahead with the rest of our early NFL picks for Week 17.
Under 46.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Detroit must win each of its remaining games and Green Bay must lose out for the Lions to make the playoffs. But instead of backing a desperate Lions team at -5.5, I am wagering on the Under given Detroit’s offensive line concerns.
The Vikings are coming off an uninspiring 16-13 win over a Giants team that didn’t attempt a pass until their 17th play of the game. But a lot of that conservative game plan was out of respect for Minnesota’s blitz-happy defense under Brian Flores.
The combination of Max Brosmer possibly starting at quarterback for Minnesota and the fact that Detroit was without its starting center and was playing with two inexperienced guards last week has me backing the Under of 46.5 as a confident four-star play.
The best number for Under backers is at BetMGM, the only top sports betting site that's a full-point higher than the rest of the market at 45.5. Its -110 odds carry a 52.38% implied probability and would net $9.09 in profit on a winning $10 wager.
💡 More Week 17 predictions
Want more NFL betting advice? Check out all of our NFL analysis and expert predictions for every game in Week 17.
📊 Live Lions vs. Vikings odds: Christmas Day
See the latest NFL odds for every game in Week 17.
Lions vs. Vikings opening odds
- Moneyline: Lions -135 | Vikings +110
- Spread: Lions -2.5 (-110) | Vikings -2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 46.5 (-110) | Under 46.5 (-110)
Lions vs. Vikings line movement
The lookahead line had Detroit as anywhere from a 2.5 to 3.5-point favorite. But uncertainty that Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will be healthy enough after an injury to his throwing hand has this line as high as -6 (-5.5 is the most common number).
It is likely only a matter of time before BetMGM aligns with the rest of the market at an O/U of 45.5. Its current number of 46.5 should be the ceiling for the total for the week, especially after Detroit rushed for just 15 yards on 12 carries in Week 16.
📈 Lions vs. Vikings trends & betting notes: Christmas Day
- The Lions have won 10 straight games as a road favorite
- Minnesota’s 27-24 Week 9 road win at Detroit snapped a five-game losing streak in this series
- Jared Goff is 8-1 ATS against the Vikings as Lions quarterback
- These two teams have combined for 50-plus points in seven of the previous eight meetings
📺 How to watch Lions vs. Vikings: Christmas Day
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
- TV: Netflix
🎄 NFL Christmas Day picks
- Cowboys vs. Commanders prediction
- Lions vs. Vikings prediction
- Broncos vs. Chiefs prediction
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