Vikings vs Lions Prediction: The Super Bowl Might Be at Stake (Jan 5)

In the biggest game of the 2024-25 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions — both 14-2 — battle for the NFC North title. More importantly, the winner will get the top seed in the conference and perhaps a clear path to the Super Bowl. The loser will not only need to play a Wild Card game, but it will be on the road. Our Vikings vs Lions prediction is for underdog Minnesota to cover the 2.5-point spread.

Minnesota leads head-to-head with a record of 80-44-2.

Offshore Odds: Detroit Favored by Less Than a Field Goal

Minnesota Did Not Expect To Be in This Position

The Vikings planned to start the season with the 10th overall draft pick out of Michigan, rookie J.J. McCarthy, at quarterback.

To protect them from the vagaries of rookie quarterbacks, they signed veteran Sam Darnold.

Darnold, on his fourth team since 2020, could at least be trusted to handle the offense if one of several unthinkables happened with McCarthy.

Then, in training camp, an unthinkable happened: McCarthy blew out his knee — gone for the season. Suddenly, Darnold had the job. And he’s run with it to the point that there’s a pretty good chance that the Vikings sign him to a long-term deal and trade McCarthy.

He’s thrown for over 4,000 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only 12 interceptions. Now he’s either two or three games away from a Super Bowl.

It will be easier if it’s two.

There is a viable argument that the Vikings have been good and lucky.

Or lucky and good.

Eight of their 14 wins have been by six points or less. They could easily have gone the other way.

Still, there’s no way to quantify that. Were they fortunate or did they execute when it counted?

Does it matter?

Detroit Definitely Did Not Expect To Be in This Position

Detroit looked like a wrecking machine during its 12-1 start, laying waste to every team (except Tampa) that had the misfortune of getting in their path. They set out to rectify last season’s NFC Championship Game loss to the 49ers and did so in resounding fashion.

But injuries took a toll. Aidan Hutchinson, David Montgomery, Carlton Davis, Alex Anzalone, Emmanuel Moseley, and Kalif Raymond have all been hurt. Anzalone and Raymond are expected to play against the Vikings.

Their 40-34 “statement” game beating San Francisco on Monday Night Football in Week 17 exemplified coach Dan Campbell’s personality of going all out all the time. The game meant nothing in the standings, but they wanted to win ahead of the Vikings showdown.

Regardless of the outcome, Campbell will put a positive spin on it. But underneath it all, they do not want to go on the road for a Wild Card matchup after winning 14 games.

Vikings vs Lions Prediction: Expect a High-Scoring, Close Battle

Although it’s not a “lose and go home” playoff game, it’s “lose and your life becomes exceedingly more difficult” in achieving your Super Bowl objective.

These teams are so evenly matched that the primary difference is the head coaches’ personalities.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell played briefly in the league for Bill Belichick and his cerebral approach mimics the legendary coach.

Campbell epitomizes the run-through-a-wall mentality his teams have exhibited.

The one gap to watch is the running game. Detroit is third in the league in fewest rushing yards allowed. Minnesota is 19th in rushing yards accrued per game. Given Detroit’s battered secondary, expect Darnold to come out firing, but they will try to run the ball with Aaron Jones. If they can, Detroit is in trouble.

Minnesota will keep the game within 2.5 points. Don’t be surprised if they win outright.

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• Regular Season (NFL)