One of three Christmas Day games streaming live on Netflix features a familiar NFC North rivalry as the Detroit Lions visit the Minnesota Vikings. While the playoff stakes aren’t equal on both sides, the intensity should still be there in a divisional matchup with Detroit fighting to keep its postseason hopes alive. Let’s start diving into our Lions-Vikings predictions, and we’ll discuss the odds and the best player prop bets to consider.
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Lions-Vikings Preview and Predictions (12/25)
The Vikings enter this game out of the playoff picture, but they’ll be looking to play spoiler. Minnesota has quietly won three straight games after being blown out by Seattle at the end of November, a game that marked Max Brosmer’s first career start. With J.J. McCarthy sidelined again, Brosmer gets the nod once more under center.
Detroit, meanwhile, is in desperation mode. The Lions have dropped two straight and three of their last four, including a heartbreaking loss to the Steelers last week on a potential game-winning play. That loss severely damaged their playoff chances, leaving Detroit sitting eighth in the NFC, a game and a half behind the Packers. For the Lions, the path is simple but narrow: win out and hope Green Bay loses both of its remaining games.
Lions vs. Vikings Odds
Detroit knows this is a must-win. The Lions are favored by 7.5 points, reflecting both Minnesota’s injury issues and Detroit’s urgency.
Oddsmakers have set the total at 43.5 points, suggesting a modest scoring environment — one that favors Detroit’s ability to control the game on the ground.
- Spread: Lions -7.5
- Moneyline: Vikings +310
- Total: 43.5
Minnesota’s late-season surge comes with a major caveat — injuries. In addition to McCarthy being out, the Vikings will be without Jordan Mason, T.J. Hockenson, and Ryan Kelly, further thinning an already struggling offense. Despite being undefeated in December, this will be their toughest test yet.
Brosmer’s first start against Seattle was rough, throwing four interceptions and producing some of the worst offensive tape of the season. He showed improvement last week in a relief effort, but facing a motivated Lions team on Christmas Day is a steep climb.
The Vikings opened the year looking competitive but fell apart after a 3–2 start, dropping six of their next seven games to fall to 4–8. While the recent win streak is encouraging, the context matters.
Best Bet: Lions-Vikings Spread Pick
The recommendation here is to lay the points with Detroit. The Lions have more to play for, more continuity, and a major advantage against a depleted Vikings roster starting a young quarterback in a hostile spot.
NFL LIVE PLAYER PROP ODDS
NFL Expert Picks: Lions vs Vikings Best Player Prop Bets
There is plenty of firepower in this Vikings-Lions matchup! Here are some of the most popular props on Underdog Fantasy for Thursday’s Vikings vs Lions matchup:
NFL Player Prop Pick: Jahmyr Gibbs Higher Than 77.5 Rushing Yards
Gibbs has been in a December cold spell, failing to hit this number in four straight games and managing just two rushing yards last week. Still, context matters. He’s averaging 73.5 rushing yards per game on the season, and this sets up as a classic bounce-back spot. Expect Gibbs to get volume early and often as the Lions try to steady the offense and keep control.
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