CBS Breech (Minnesota (14-2) at Detroit (14-2) - Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC). This will be the final game of the 2024 regular-season and the NFL is definitely saving its best for last. This game will mark the first time in 31 years that the top seed in a conference will be decided in the final week of the season in a winner-take-all battle. This will also mark the first time in NFL history that two teams with 13 wins or more will face off in a regular-season game. There will be a lot on the line in this game with the winner taking home the NFC North title and the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC while the loser will be stuck getting the fifth seed in the NFC. That means the winner will get a bye in the opening round of the playoffs while the loser will be forced to hit the road for the wild-card round. What's the difference between getting a one-seed and a five-seed? Glad you asked. There was no fifth-seed in the playoffs until 1978 and since then, they've almost never made it to the Super Bowl. Basically, if you lose this game, you don't just lose this game, your chances of getting to the Super Bowl also take a major hit, which is not what you want when you're a team that's never won the Super Bowl before (In related news, the Vikings and Lions have never won the Super Bowl before). I feel like this is going to come down to who plays better out of Jared Goff and Sam Darnold. That might seem obvious, but all you have to do is look at each's team passing defense to realize why the QB battle will probably decide the game. The Lions are surrendering 250.4 yards per game through the air, which is the second-worst number in the NFL. But Vikings fans, don't laugh, because your team isn't much better: The Vikings have given up an average of 243.6 yards per game, which is the fifth-worst in the NFL. So you have the two of the worst passing defenses and they'll be going up against two quarterbacks who both rank in the top-five for passing yards per game this year (Goff ranks second overall with 274.9 yards per game while Darnold ranks fifth overall with 259.6 yards per game). These two quarterbacks went a combined 7-17-1 in 2020, and somehow, just four years later, they're going to be duking it out for the top seed in the NFC. Darnold has never played in a game of this magnitude, so I'm going to take they guy who's won multiple big games in his career and that's Goff. The pick: Lions 30-23 over Vikings): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-picks-and-score-predictions-bengals-beat-steelers-to-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-lions-edge-vikings/
SN Bender (Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-3): Who gets homefield advantage in the NFC? This game should be a thriller, and the Vikings have mastered close games this season with Kevin O'Connell. Minnesota is 9-1 in one-score games this season, but the lone loss is to Detroit. The Lions are 6-1 in one-score games this season. Who knew Jared Goff and Sam Darnold would be must-see TV in the finale? Pick: Lions 31, Vikings 27): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-week-18-lions-vikings-broncos-chiefs/6de070ae6be1f8dd61b0f8f6
SN Iyer (NFC Game of the Week: Vikings at Lions (-2.5, 52.5 o/u): The Vikings have pushed the Lions to the limit like no one expected, but the play of Sam Darnold and Brian Flores' defense has them well positioned. The Lions, however, will be ready to smash at home one last time to win a high-scoring affair with the better closing running game. Pick: Lions win 34-31 and cover the spread.): https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/nfl-picks-predictions-against-spread-week-18-lions-vikings/864603364701d634756d48a6
Fox sports 2024 NFL Week 18 Predictions, Betting Odds & TV Schedule (Prediction: Lions 29, Vikings 21): https://www.foxsports.com/articles/nfl/2024-nfl-week-18-predictions-betting-odds-tv-schedule
CBS Prisco (Minnesota Vikings (+3) at Detroit Lions: This is the game of the week, the winner getting the top seed in the NFC. Both teams can score -- a lot. The difference is the Vikings have a little better defense. But the home field will be at play here and be the difference. I think the Vikings keep it close, but the Lions will win it. Pick: Lions 34, Vikings 33): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-18-nfl-picks-ravens-buccaneers-roll-to-clinch-division-titles-lions-edge-vikings-for-top-seed/
Pro Picks: Lions will beat the Vikings in showdown for the NFC’s No. 1 seed (Minnesota (14-2) at Detroit (14-2) - Line: Lions minus 3. This is the game Dan Campbell and the Lions have waited for since losing to the 49ers in last season’s NFC championship game. Getting the No. 1 seed has been Detroit’s goal and it’ll come down to beating Sam Darnold and the Vikings, who have been the surprise of the NFL this season. A tie also gets the job done for the Lions. Despite a shorter week after playing at San Francisco on Monday night, Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and the rest of the Lions have come too far to slip now. Detroit has been depleted by injuries, especially on defense, and keeps winning. Minnesota has won nine in a row and defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ unit presents a difficult challenge for the Lions’ dynamic offense. LIONS: 30-26): https://apnews.com/article/pro-picks-week-18-42063f976129f1c1de14985941afadad
Freep Ramsey Lions vs Vikings game prediction, betting odds (The pick: Lions 34, Vikings 31): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/01/01/detroit-lions-vs-minnesota-vikings-betting-odds-prediction-channel/77352165007/
Our guide to every Week 18 NFL game: Matchup previews, predictions, picks and nuggets (Kahler's pick: Lions 34, Vikings 31. Moody's pick: Lions 31, Vikings 28. Walder's pick: Lions 38, Vikings 31): https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/nflviewguide-43237465/nfl-week-18-picks-schedule-fantasy-football-odds-injuries-stats-2024
MLive (Benjamin Raven’s pick: “I am sticking with my call for the Lions to go 3-0 down the stretch. The offense is fueling my confidence in their ability to get it done. Jared Goff handled the blitz well in the first matchup, and I expect him to do it again. Lions 35, Vikings 25″): https://www.mlive.com/lions/2025/01/lions-vikings-predictions-will-detroit-sweep-minnesota-in-week-18-showdown.html
Detroit News (All 4 pick the Lions to win by scores of 38-35, 31-28, 45-38, 33-28): https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/01/03/predictions-detroit-lions-vs-minnesota-vikings/77413161007/
Star Tribune Craig (Lions 34 Vikings 33): NFC North Week 18 picks: Division title comes down to the final game in Detroit
Five things to watch as Lions face Vikings with No. 1 seed on the line (PREDICTION: Lions 34, Vikings 31.): https://lionslowdown.com/2025/01/04/five-things-to-watch-as-lions-face-vikings-with-no-1-seed-on-the-line/
Sports book Wire Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions odds, picks and predictions (Lions 32, Vikings 30): https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/2025/01/04/minnesota-vikings-at-detroit-lions-odds-picks-and-predictions-3/
Lions vs Vikings: Last-minute thoughts and final score prediction (Final score prediction - Should be a great game. The Vikings are a very good team. The Lions are just a little bit better and they believe it, too. Lions 34, Vikings 30): https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/05/lions-vikings-week-18-game-preview-final-score-prediction-last-minute-thoughts/
SI All Lions Predictions: Vikings-Lions (All 4 pick the Lions to win by scores of 33-30, 35-31, 28-24, 30-27): https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/predictions-vikings-lions-week-eighteen-2024
NFL.com Video Vikings vs. Lions preview | Week 18 (7 pick the Lions to win by scores of 33-30, 31-30, 31-28, 31-30, 38-36, 35-34, 29-27. 3 pick the Vikings to win by scores of 30-27, 27-24, 29-26): https://www.nfl.com/videos/vikings-vs-lions-preview-week-18-x7564
Freep (3 pick the Lions to win by scores of 27-26, 35-32, 27-24. 1 picks the Vikings to win 36-31): https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/01/05/detroit-lions-picks-vs-minnesota-vikings-nfc-north-week-18-showdown/77457388007/
USA Today (4 pick the Lions to win by scores of 38-31, 31-25, 31-30, 33-28. 2 pick the Vikings to win by scores of 35-34, 31-28): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl-picks/2025/01/02/nfl-week-18-picks-spread-predictions-locks-playoff-lions-vikings/77386771007/
NFL.com Week 18 NFL picks: Ravens to clinch AFC North? Will Bengals keep playoff hopes alive? (Lions 34-31, Lions 34-30, Lions 30-27, Vikings 30-27, Vikings 29-27): https://www.nfl.com/news/week-18-nfl-picks-2024-nfl-season
Vikings SI Vikings-Lions Week 18 score predictions from the Vikings On SI staff (3 pick the Vikings to win by scores of 34-31, 41-38, 41-38. 2 pick the Lions to win by scores of 34-31, 38-36): https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/vikings-lions-week-18-score-predictions-from-the-vikings-on-si-staff-01jgq2v0qny6
PFT’s Week 18 2024 NFL picks: Florio vs.Simms (Vikings at Lions (-2.5): Health offsets home-field advantage. Florio: Vikings, 30-27. Simms: Lions, 31-28.): https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-18-2024-nfl-picks-florio-vs-simms
Final Predictions for Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions NFC North Championship game (2 pick the Lions to win by scores of 35-32, 38-32. 2 pick the Vikings to win by scores of 31-26, 28-21): https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/final_predictions_for_minnesota_vikings_vs_detroit_lions_nfc_north_championship_game/s1_17313_41503939
USA Today Vikings at Lions: Predictions, picks, odds for NFL Week 18 game (1 picks the Lions to win 34-31. 1 picks the Vikings to win 28-26): https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/01/03/vikings-lions-picks-predictions-odds-week-18/77236489007/
The Arizona Republic Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions picks, predictions, odds: Who wins NFL Week 18 game? (Both pick the Vikings to win by scores of 31-28, 34-27): https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/2024/12/30/minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-picks-predictions-odds-nfl-week-18/77072143007/
Walter football (Week 18 NFL Pick: Vikings 34, Lions 31): https://walterfootball.com/nflpicks2024_18late.php
CBS Sullivan (Vikings at Lions: For a regular-season game, you couldn't make the stakes any higher. Not only is the NFC North division on the line, but the Vikings and Lions will be squaring off in a game where the winner will clinch the No. 1 seed in the conference. Coming into the year, the Lions were the darlings of the NFL-viewing public and were among the favorites to win Super Bowl LIX. While that largely remains the case, the Vikings -- with Sam Darnold at the helm -- have crashed the party. I expect them to continue this ascent by rolling into Ford Field and pulling off the upset. In what I viewed as a head-scratching decision, Dan Campbell decided to play all of his starters Monday night against the 49ers. While they were able to get the win, it was a meaningless game for their ultimate goal of winning the division and attaining the No. 1 seed. Now, Detroit will be gearing up for this massive game on a short week after playing on the West Coast. Meanwhile, Brock Purdy just lit the Lions secondary up, which makes me wonder how badly Darnold, Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Vikings offense are champing at the bit to get out onto the field on Sunday night. The season trends also point favorably to Minnesota, as the team is 4-2-1 ATS on the road this season, while the Lions are 4-4 ATS at Ford Field. Projected score: Vikings 30, Lions 27): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-odds-picks-vikings-claim-nfc-north-title-no-1-seed-with-win-vs-lions-bengals-beat-steelers/
CBS Dajani (Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (-3): The game of the week! Ben Johnson's offense looks incredible, but this Lions defense is worth worrying about. Detroit allowed 7.4 yards per play in December. That's the most yards per play any team has allowed in the month of December in the Super Bowl era. The Lions ranked last or second-to-last in points per game (32.5), yards allowed per game (428.5) and passing yards allowed per game (321) last month. It's tough, because I think the Lions would be my Super Bowl pick if we were playing "Madden" and injuries were turned off. Detroit has five Week 1 defensive starters on injured reserve, which would tie the most by any team in a playoff game since 1970. The Lions lost a big matchup at home to Buffalo, and I see the same thing happening vs. Minnesota. Sam Darnold is riding high after throwing for a career-high 377 passing yards vs. the Packers. In a shocking turn of events, it's the Vikings that acquire the first-round bye in the NFC. The pick: Vikings +3. Projected score: Vikings 40-33): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-week-18-picks-odds-spread-best-bets-sam-darnold-led-vikings-upset-lions-at-home-for-no-1-seed/
Vikings-Lions preview, predictions: Can Minnesota go into Detroit and snatch No. 1 seed? (Both pick the Vikings to win by scores of 31-29, 37-36): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6034428/2025/01/03/vikings-lions-preview-predictions-playoffs-no-1-seed/
Star Tribune Ben Goessling’s prediction: Vikings or Lions? Who will win the coveted NFC North title and No. 1 seed? (Vikings 35, Lions 31): https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-vikings-detroit-lions-preview-prediction-nfc-north-nfl-playoffs-no-1-seed/601201612
CBS Benjamin (Pick: Vikings 33, Lions 31): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/lions-vs-vikings-where-to-watch-nfl-kickoff-time-tv-live-stream-odds-pick-for-key-week-18-nfc-north-game/amp/
SI Vikings vs. Lions Final Score Prediction for Sunday Night Football in NFL Week 18 (Minnesota Will Upset Detroit) (Final score prediction: Vikings 38, Lions 27): https://www.si.com/betting/vikings-vs-lions-final-score-prediction-sunday-night-football-nfl-week-18-minnesota-will-upset-detroit
Non-Score Predictions:
Athletic (5 pick the Lions. 1 picks the Vikings): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6036057/2025/01/05/vikings-lions-how-to-watch-odds-picks-betting/
PFN (4 pick the Lions to win. 1 picks the Vikings to win): https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-picks-predictions-week-18-2024/
ESPN (7 pick the Lions to win. 3 pick the Vikings to win): https://www.espn.com/nfl/picks
SI (3 pick the Lions to win. 3 pick the Vikings to win): https://www.si.com/nfl/2024-nfl-week-18-staff-expert-picks
FTW (4 pick the Vikings to win. 3 pick the Lions to win): https://ftw.usatoday.com/2025/01/nfl-straight-up-picks-week-18-vikings-lions-steelers-bengals
CBS (3 pick the Vikings to win. 2 pick the Lions to win): https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/picks/experts/straight-up/18/
NFL Reporter Laura Rutledge's Vikings-Lions Prediction Turning Heads (She picks the Vikings to win): https://athlonsports.com/entertainment/nfl-reporter-laura-rutledge-vikings-lions-prediction-turning-heads
69 Pick the Lions to win. 41 pick the Vikings to win. The Average Predicted Score is (2271-2208/71): Lions 32 Vikings 31
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