Lions at Vikings odds, picks and predictions

The Detroit Lions (8-7) face the Minnesota Vikings (7-8) on Christmas Day. Kickoff from Minneapolis, Minnesota, is set for 4:30 p.m. ET (Netflix). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NFL odds around the Lions vs. Vikings odds and make our expert NFL picks and predictions for the best bets.

Detroit suffered a crushing 29-24 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, failing to cover as an 8-point home favorite as the Over (51.5) hit and its playoff chances are slim. QB Jared Goff threw for 364 yards and 3 TDs, but the Lions amassed just 15 total rushing yards while also playing terribly defensively in the loss. The Lions gave up 481 total yards of offense and allowed the Steelers to go 10-of-18 (55%) on third and fourth down.

Minnesota escaped with a 16-13 win over the New York Giants Sunday to cover as a 2.5-point road favorite as the Under (41.5) was smashed. The Vikings held the Giants to just 141 total yards while also holding them to just 3-of-13 (23%) on third and fourth down. QB J.J. McCarthy exited with a hand injury before halftime and was replaced by Max Brosmer, who went 70of-9 for 52 yards.

These teams met in Week 9, with the Vikings winning 27-24 win as 9.5-point road underdogs as the Over (47.5) hit. The Lions went just 5-of-17 on third down and racked up 10 penalties for 76 yards in the loss.

Minnesota’s playoff chances are dead, but the Lions still have a slim chance if they can win out and the Packers can lose.

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Lions at Vikings odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:15 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Lions -375 (bet $375 to win $100) | Vikings +300 (bet $100 to win $300)Against the spread (ATS): Lions -7.5 (-105) | Vikings +7.5 (-115)Over/Under (O/U): 43 (O: -110 | U: -110)Lions at Vikings key injuries

Lions

CB Avonte Maddox (back/illness) questionableRB David Montgomery (illness) questionableDE Marcus Davenport (shoulder) questionableOT Taylor Decker (shoulder) questionable

Vikings

TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) outC Ryan Kelly (concussion) outRB Jordan Mason (ankle) outQB J.J. McCarthy (hand) outOT Brian O’Neill (heel) questionableLions at Vikings picks and predictionsPrediction

Lions 21, Vikings 3

PASS.

The Lions are the better team, especially given the injuries to both squads, so feel confident in Detroit to cover here as a -375 favorite to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. However, the Lions are not worth the risk of backing as such heavy favorites here, so pass and bet on the spread and/or total instead.

LIONS -7.5 (-105).

Detroit has scored at least 24 points in 4 of its last 5 losses and 9 of its last 10 games overall. That same scoring output won’t be automatic against this Vikings defense, but that offense will find success here. Detroit’s problem as of late has been its injury-riddled defense, but against this offense that is among the worst in the league, that won’t be a problem here.

Be aware the Lions are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.

LEAN UNDER 43 (-110).

This Vikings offense is bottom-5 in total yards per game and bottom-10 in points per game, but in 1 game with Brosmer at the helm, the Vikings were shutout 26-0 by Seattle in a game where they gained just 162 total yards of offense. Minnesota will see a bit more success here against a bad Lions defense, and the Lions will score a few touchdowns, but this game won’t get close to the Over number of 43.

Keep in mind the Over is 7-3 in the last 10 matchups between these squads and 7-3 in Detroit’s last 10 overall.

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Lions at Vikings odds, picks and predictions

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