Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1/5/25 – With the conclusion of the NFL regular season, a heavyweight showdown is planned at Ford Field this Sunday where 14-2 Minnesota Vikings will be lacing their boots against 14-2 Detroit Lions. This week 18 clash promises to be a doozy and has a lot riding in terms of playoffs. This will be a national broadcast on NBC, with coverage beginning at 8:20 PM ET, so fans can look forward to what may only be the start of a very promising postseason.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions 1/5/25
| When: | Sunday, January 5, 2025, at 8:20 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ford Field |
| TV: | NBC |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | +3 (-110) | Over 51 (-107) | +143 |  |
| Lions | -3 (-102) | Under 51 (-107) | -162 | |
| ||||
Don’t miss a minute tomorrow night.
🍕: @littlecaesars https://t.co/MqsBeJbOfp
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 5, 2025
Detroit Lions’ flourish against Minnesota, as they have been in dominating form throughout the season, has made them the -3 point favorites as reflected in the betting lines. Vikings, on the other hand, have been in a good recent form and thus are placed with a +143 moneyline, which is a worthwhile bet for punters. All in all, both teams have been leaking goals, and hence the tendency to score more than 51 is also a good bet.
Sam Darnold QB vs. Jared Goff QB
Sam Darnold had a stellar outing with the Vikings, with a 68.1 completion percentage, 4153 passing yards, and 35 touchdowns. His ability to throw the ball deep has indeed worked out as an asset for Minnesota’s offense, even if scoring 12 touchdowns and suffering from 46 sacks reflects a certain degree of fragility when he was pressured.
Jared Goff makes up for it on behalf of the Lions, boasting an impressive 71.7 completion rate and 4398 passing yards. Goff’s pinpoint throws and accuracy have netted him a total of 36 touchdowns while throwing 10 interceptions, making him one of the most effective players at that position this season. Pairing it up with higher coverage, sacks his numbers suggest a well-safeguarded QB who’s likely to capitalize on the defensive frailties of the Vikings.
When two extremely capable quarterbacks, Darnold and Goff, go head-to-head, expect entertainment. The two quarterbacks have an appealing mixture of experience and game-breaking ability, making the prospect of a high-scoring game ever so tantalizing. The main focus should be on which defense corners the opposing quarterback and pumps out mistakes on its end.
Vikings’ Ground and Air Assault
While the Vikings’ attack has met decent success in the past two games, they managed to win in very narrow gaps thanks to their passing and rushing game. Aaron Jones has been effective in executing difficult runs while Justin Jefferson has been providing a consistent deep threat. Jones and Jefferson stay balanced, which can prove pivotal in breaking the Lions’ defense.
Lions’ Dynamic Offensive Playmakers
In addition to their blazing defense, the Detroit offense, led by Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown, has been unmatched as well. Gibbs has emerged as a force in the backfield with more than 1200 rushing yards while St. Brown remains Goff’s most trusted tight end. All their most recent games against San Francisco and Chicago witnessed them being unbeatable, both in the sky and on the land, and now they are embarking on yet another electrifying show at home.
Trends
Minnesota Vikings Betting Trends
- Minnesota are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota’s last 6 games.
- Minnesota are 9-0 SU in their last 9 games.
- Minnesota are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games against Detroit.
- Minnesota are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against Detroit.
Detroit Lions Betting Trends
- Detroit are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit’s last 5 games.
- Detroit are 13-1 SU in their last 14 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 6 of Detroit’s last 6 games against Minnesota.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Detroit’s last 6 games at home.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Betting Prediction
Both teams in this matchup appear to be riding on good form lately, and the statistics indicate that there is a possibility of them showing outstanding performances during the entire game time. The past records and the performance throughout this season have slightly swung towards the Lions’ favor, especially while playing at home, but the majority of people attending are expecting a Vikings win, which shouldn’t be ruled out.
The odds here would be slightly in favor of the over for total points. Based on the times both teams have played so far, it should be the Lions who win this tie, given that they play better with the supportive home crowd and have more wins against the spread, but it will definitely be a close call.
Score Prediction: Lions 30, Vikings 27.
Hilbert Mayer
Sports Writer
Hilbert Mayer is a professional sports writer, betting analyst, and content strategist with over 15 years of experience in the sports industry. Before focusing on sports betting analysis and handicapping, Hilbert worked as a sports writer for various news outlets, covering everything from game recaps to in-depth matchup features. Today, he specializes in MLB, NFL, March Madness, and UFC betting, combining his journalistic background with deep statistical expertise and real-world betting insights. His proven track record, sharp reads, and ability to break down complex matchups make him a trusted voice among both casual bettors and seasoned sharps.
Published on: January 5, 2025
Last updated: March 27, 2025