You have to imagine there were handshakes all around with the NFL schedule-makers on this one. Of course, you matchup certain opponents for the final week hoping the division is on the line. But two 13-win teams with the top overall pick on the line? That hasn’t happened since 1993. And that’s what we get for Sunday Night Football.

Making Week 18 NFL predictions for Sunday Night Football is not something we can take lightly. One team gets the top seed while the other falls all the way down to the fifth seed. Where they go on the road. That’s about as big of a swing as you’re going to see - until the actual elimination games start in the playoffs.

Even if you just want to see the Vikings vs. Lions odds and have Vikings vs. Lions picks of your own, don’t forget to scroll down at the end to see how you can scoop up a $1,500 BetMGM Sportsbook sign-up bonus!

 

 

 

Vikings vs. Lions Predictions For NFL Week 18, Sunday Night Football

For a long time, the Vikings owned this matchup. Won 8 straight from 2017 to 2021. But the Lions have gotten the best of them as of late, including earlier this year when they won 31-29 in Detroit. They’ve now won four straight against Minnesota.

Speaking of winning a bunch of games in a row, both these teams are hot. The Vikings have won nine straight games now going back to a 20-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams before Halloween. The Lions have won 13 of their last 14 with the only loss over that stretch a 48-42 barn burner against the Buffalo Bills just three weeks ago.

 

 

 

Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold Renaissance

The Vikings all of sudden have a “good problem to have”. They drafted JJ McCarthy as their quarterback of the future but gave Sam Darnold a shot in the short term. And Darnold has been incredible so far in Kevin O’Connell’s system. One of them will lead incredible weapons next year in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones. But for now we focus on this season.

On defense, the Vikings have been excellent - especially on defense. They have allowed only 88.1 yards per game which is second only to the Baltimore Ravens. That has forced teams to pass against them which has inflated the numbers but, FTN’s DVOA stat, which attempts to normalize rankings for opponents, situation etc., actually has them ranked as the top pass defense.

 

 

 

Detroit Lions: Thriving Despite Injuries

Dan Campbell has not taken his foot off the gas all year. This team has leaned on their stars, they’ve busted out trick plays, they’ve bitten kneecaps. On offense they’ll be without David Montgomery this week but they have many of their key pieces ready to go.

It’s been on defense where the injuries have hit the hardest. They are hoping to have linebacker Alex Anzalone back for his first game since November. But they’ll be without guys like Aidan Hutchinson, Carlton Davis, Alim McNeill, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Derrick Barnes. It’s been incredible how well they have pieced things together.

 

Vikings vs. Lions Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines

As promised, the latest Vikings vs. Lions odds can be found below courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook:

 

 

 

Vikings vs. Lions: Minnesota Vikings +3  (-115 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

This should be an incredible game to watch. And hopefully it lives up to the storylines. The over/under is set at a whopping 56 which is one of the highest of the season - and we wouldn’t dare bet the under. The last time these two teams put up 60 points earlier this year and haven’t had a total under 50 in six straight matchups.

This one for us is simple. Both teams have equally as much riding on the game. Either team could obviously win. One team is dealing with a bunch of injuries on defense though. And the other team, with the exception of tackle Christian Darrisaw (who they replaced with Cam Robinson doing a valiant job) is firing on all cylinders. I’m not going to say that the Vikings win this game outright. But I’ll take the 3 points in a game that could go down to the wire.

 

 

 

Vikings vs. Lions Injury Report & Latest News

Finally, let’s take a quick look at the projected starting lineups for both teams heading into tonight’s matchup:

MIN Vikings

  • LB Patrick Jones - Out
  • LB Kamu Gurgier-Hill - Questionable
  • CB Fabian Moreau - Questionable

DET Lions

 

 

 

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