Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Prediction, 1/5/2025 NFL Picks, Best Bets & Odds Week 18

Game: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025

Location: Ford Field in Detroit, MI

TV: NBC

Odds-Point Spread: Lions (-2.5)

Total-Over-Under: 52

The Detroit Lions (13-2) are welcoming the Minnesota Vikings (14-2) at Ford Field on Sunday. Detroit opens as 2.5-point favorites. The betting total comes in at 52.

The Minnesota Vikings come into this game with a record of 14-2 for this season. In their last game, the Vikings faced the Green Bay Packers and went home with a win by a final score of 27-24. Sam Darnold finished 33-43 with 377 yards passing and 3 TDs. He had a QB rate of 116.1 and ended the game with 1 pick. Aaron Jones was the rushing leader for the Vikings with 12 attempts for 47 yards (3.9 yards per attempt). Justin Jefferson averaged 11.5 yards per catch by tallying 92 yards on 8 catches. The Minnesota Vikings ran the football 26 different times and accumulated 69 yards, earning them an average of 2.7 yds per attempt. In all, they ran 69 plays which totaled 441 yds. Minnesota allowed 31 pass completions on 43 attempts for 302 yards, and a completion percentage of 72.1%. In the running game, the Vikings conceded 59 yards on 15 attempts, which is 3.9 yards per run allowed.

The Vikings have racked up 5,636 total yards this year. Minnesota has recorded 203 first downs as an offense, and they have committed 104 infractions for 815 yds. When it comes to scoring touchdowns, Minnesota has compiled 35 touchdowns through the air and 9 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the ball over 21 different times (12 interceptions and 9 fumbles lost). As a team they're averaging 108.4 yards in the run game ranking them 19th in the NFL. Concerning putting the ball in the endzone, the Minnesota Vikings hold an average of 26.4 points per outing.

The Vikings are sitting in 4th in the NFL in relation to the opposition scoring, allowing 18.8 PPG. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.9 yards per run and 88.1 rushing yards per game over the course of this year. During this campaign, they have given up 1,410 yards via the ground game in 16 outings. In terms of passing yardage, the Vikings have surrendered 3,898 yards which puts them in 29th in the NFL. They are conceding 243.6 yards per outing through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 64.2%. During this campaign, they are surrendering 331.8 yards-outing which has them sitting 16th in the NFL. They have surrendered 23 touchdowns via the pass and 9 touchdowns running the ball.

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The Lions head into this game 13-2 for this year. In their last contest, the Lions walked away with a victory by a final of 34-17 against the Chicago Bears. Jared Goff (3 touchdowns) finished the game with 336 yds on 23-32 through the air while his QB rating was 137. He didn't toss any picks and his Y-A was 10.5 yards. Amon-Ra St. Brown was the best receiver for the Lions, snagging 6 passes for 70 yards (11.7 yds per catch). Jahmyr Gibbs ran the football 23 times for 109 yards, finishing the contest with 4.7 yds per carry for Detroit. The Lions finished the contest with 475 yards while running 64 plays (7.4 yards per play). Detroit ran the ball for 4.6 yds per carry, totaling 146 yds on 32 attempts. Detroit gave up 17 rushing attempts for 59 yds (3.5 yards per rush). The Lions pass defense gave up a completion percentage of 65.0%, relinquishing 323 yds on 26 out of 40 through the air.

The Detroit Lions hold an average of 408.6 yards per outing which has them ranked 2nd in football. They hold an average of 143.9 yards via the ground game and have run for 2,158 yards overall. The Detroit offense has racked up 882 yds of penalties on 93 violations, which ranks 24th in football in terms of making mistakes. For the year thus far, the Lions have a total of 3,971 yards through the air as well as an average of 264.7 throwing yards per game, which has them sitting 2nd in the NFL. In terms of their scoring prowess, the Lions rank 1st in the league maintaining an average of 32.9 points per game.

They have surrendered 15 touchdowns from the passing game as well as 240.4 yards per game, which puts them in 28th in the league. Detroit has surrendered a total of 1,477 yards on the ground (98.5 yards per game) in addition to 16 touchdowns rushing this year. They have earned 22 turnovers (8 fumbles and 14 picks) on the season. The Lions defense has taken part in 894 plays, which ranks them 1st in football. The Lions are allowing 19.9 points per game, which has them sitting 7th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Vikings-Lions NFL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Lions -2.5

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