The Detroit Lions will try to keep their playoff hopes afloat when they take on the Minnesota Vikings in a Christmas Day showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Lions (8-7) have lost two straight and three of their past four games, most recently a 29-24 home defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Minnesota has won four straight, most recently a 16-13 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, and defeated the Lions 27-24 on Nov. 2.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss Thursday’s game with a fractured hand, so the Vikings are likely to suit up Max Brosmer starting at quarterback.
The Lions will be eliminated with a loss on Thursday. Here’s what to expect for their game against the Vikings and how to bet at the best Michigan sportsbooks.
Lions vs. Vikings Predictions and best betsVikings Under 17.5 team points: (-128 at FanDuel)Jahmyr Gibbs Over 108.5 rushing + receiving yards: (-115 at BetMGM)Justin Jefferson Under 61.5 receiving yards: (-113 at DraftKings)Lions -7: (-110 at FanDuel)
Brosmer has said all the right things about leading his first game-winning drive on the road Sunday against the Giants, but the rookie has been overwhelmed by the NFL so far.
Brosmer has 178 passing yards over six quarters of leading the Minnesota offense and has scored only three points in that span against the Seahawks and Giants.
On Thursday, will face the desperate Lions on a short week, which won’t give him much time to game plan, even though Minnesota is the home team.
Detroit has been playing high-scoring games, allowing an average of 30.2 points per game over its past five games. But the Lions should win handily and keep their faint playoff chances alive with relative ease.
*Note: Odds are based on the best value our experts find as of publication; check lines closer to game time to ensure you get the best odds.
Lions vs. Vikings moneyline odds analysis
The Lions’ odds show Detroit as -370 moneyline favorites, which gives them roughly a 79% chance of winning. Detroit is 1-3 in divisional games, but it is also 4-3 in games played indoors, which Thursday’s game will be.
The Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that didn’t stop them from dealing a death blow to the Cowboys’ playoff hopes two weeks ago.
Still, Brosmer and the Vikings offense have amassed 272 offensive yards in six quarters, including 110 when Brosmer relieved McCarthy against the Giants. The Lions should not have any issue winning, even if they don’t cover 7 or 7.5 points.
Why the Lions could win as the favorite
Best odds: -370 at FanDuel
If the Lions can stop the run.
Detroit’s defense gave up 230 rushing yards to Pittsburgh on Sunday and is allowing about 115 rushing yards per game.
But if the Lions can keep RB Aaron Jones in check — fellow RB Jordan Mason is reportedly “a long shot” to play Thursday — and force Brosmer to beat them, it could get ugly.
Why the Vikings could win as the underdog
Best odds: +300 at DraftKings
If they can keep the game script on their side.
The Vikings will need to be able to run the ball and keep the high-octane Lions offense on the sidelines.
But if the Vikings need to throw the ball, they are likely to be in huge trouble. Detroit gave up 116 net passing yards to the Vikings in the teams’ first meeting.
Brosmer seems less likely to win the game himself than McCarthy was, and Mason’s absence makes that even less likely to happen. The Vikings likely need to play a close, low-scoring game that they can steal late.
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