Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1/7/24 – As the NFL regular season winds down, the Minnesota Vikings clash with the Detroit Lions in a pivotal Week 18 showdown. With the Vikings at a 7-9 record and the Lions boasting an 11-5 mark, this game carries significant weight, particularly for fans and bettors keeping a close eye on the Super Bowl betting odds and picks. The stage is set for Sunday at the renowned Ford Field, airing on FOX at 1:00 PM ET. This matchup not only promises to be a thrilling contest but also a pivotal moment in determining the playoff landscape.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1/7/24
| When: | Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ford Field |
| TV: | FOX |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | +3.5 -115 | o45.5 -115 | +155 |  |
| Lions | -3.5 -105 | u45.5 -105 | -175 | |
| ||||
Experts weigh in on what they think will happen in the #Vikings Week 18 matchup against the Lions.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 6, 2024
Kirk Cousins QB vs. Jared Goff QB
Kirk Cousins heads into Week 18 struggling, throwing 5 interceptions over his last 6 games. However, he has strong career numbers against the Lions. In 18 career games, Cousins is averaging 291 passing yards per game with 18 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. His completion percentage sits at 68.2% against Detroit, above his career average. Cousins will need to protect the football better for Minnesota to stay competitive on the road. Over his last 3 contests, Kirk has thrown just 2 touchdown passes while tossing 4 picks. He has also been sacked 8 times in that span.
Jared Goff is putting up MVP-caliber numbers leading the top-seeded attack in the NFC. Over his last 5 games, Goff has exceeded 300 passing yards 4 times while tossing 12 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions. He has also added a rushing score over that span. Goff has been extremely prolific in front of the home fans at Ford Field, averaging 284 passing yards per contest in Detroit. And he has been dynamic against Minnesota recently. In his last 3 home starts versus the Vikings, Goff has completed 67.8% of his throws for 851 yards, 9 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
Vikings’ Ground and Air Attack: A Dual-Threat Challenge
The Vikings’ offense isn’t just Cousins-driven. Alexander Mattison has led an efficient ground game, amassing 676 rushing yards over 15 games while failing to score touchdowns despite this reliability. Justin Jefferson serves as an invaluable receiver; with 882 receiving yards over 9 games (an average of almost 100 per game), he poses a significant threat downfield.
Lions’ Offensive Prowess: A Balanced Assault
Detroit employs a balanced offensive approach. David Montgomery’s ground game has outshone Minnesota’s, amassing 975 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games compared to Minnesota’s 973 yards and nine scores from nine games played over 15 contests by Amon-Ra St. Brown alone; St. Brown has 1371 receiving yards over 15 contests with 9 touchdowns; his ability to break big plays will prove key against Minnesota’s defense.
NFL Betting Odds: Detroit Lions -175, Over/Under: 45.5
The Lions enter as favorites, with a moneyline of -175 and a spread of -3, reflecting their stronger season performance and home-field advantage. The over/under is set at 45.5, a testament to the expected offensive output from both teams.
Trends
Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends
Minnesota are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games.
Vikings are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games against Detroit.
Minnesota are 9-3 SU in their last 12 games against Detroit.
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games on the road.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit.
Minnesota are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games against an opponent in the National Football Conference conference.
Detroit Lions Betting Trends
Detroit are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 8 games.
Detroit are 13-5 SU in their last 18 games.
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 7 games against Minnesota.
Detroit are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Picks
Analyzing the teams’ performances and betting trends, Detroit appears to have the upper hand. Their balanced offensive and recent dominance over Minnesota make them the safer bet. The Vikings, despite their struggles, cannot be entirely counted out, especially with the potential for a high-scoring game.
For those exploring options in online betting casinos, Detroit seems the more reliable pick. The over/under bet is tricky, but given both teams’ offensive capabilities, betting on the OVER might be a smart move. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially on Lions’ Montgomery and Vikings’ Jefferson, could also offer value.
Score Prediction: Lions 28, Vikings 24
