talkSPORT betting tips – Best NFL bets and expert advice for Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings

The Detroit Lions will aim to keep their 2025 season alive when they travel to the U.S. Bank Stadium on Christmas Day to face NFC North rivals the Minnesota Vikings.

Dan Campbell’s team were one of the leading contenders for Super Bowl glory before a pass was thrown this season, but with two weeks left, they are hanging on and hoping to make the playoffs.

Detroit fell to a 29-24 defeat to the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, meaning they dropped to 8-7. They are now third in the division, below the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. 

While Detroit remain in the hunt for a playoff spot, the Vikings are already out of the picture, but they would love nothing more than to disrupt the Lions’ plans.

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Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Tips

• Detroit Lions -5.5 @ 17/20
• Under 44.5 Points @ 20/23
• Jared Goff Over 244.5 Passing Yards, Jahmyr Gibbs Over 15.5 Rushing Attempts, Justin Jefferson Under 57.5 Receiving Yards @ 19/5

Detroit to come up trumps when it matters

The Detroit Lions have not lived up to expectations and it is unusual to see Campbell’s team finish with a whimper.

Detroit have lost three of their last four games, and they have scored at least 24 points in all of those outings. Injuries to their defence have caused havoc for the second year running, and the Lions have conceded 27, 31, 30, 41 and 29 points since Gameweek 12.

Minnesota have won their last three games and on paper, most would suggest the Vikings are the team to back on the spread. However, Detroit’s previous three defeats have come against the Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, who could all feature in the playoffs.

The Vikings could be without starting quarterback J.J McCarthy on Sunday, after he injured his hand against the New York Giants in Sunday’s 16-13 win.

If McCarthy cannot feature, then Max Brosmer is due to start. He threw four interceptions in his only start this season and the Lions should be able to overpower Minnesota, especially with Brosmer likely to start on a short week for the Vikings.

Minnesota may struggle to earn points

To their credit, the Vikings have dug in for their fans in recent weeks and they have scored 81 points in their last three outings.

All that momentum is likely to stop, though, especially with Bromer set to start. Even if McCarthy is willing to suit up, his injury was to his throwing hand, and it seems highly unlikely that Minnesota would risk their former first-round pick with nothing to play for.

The Vikings also have injuries to centre Ryan Kelly and running back Jordan Mason, so it will be up to Detroit to score the bulk of the points.

Detroit have struggled on the ground in recent weeks, which is what their gameplan is built around, so the unders appeals here.

Goff should be a busy man once again

Lions quarterback Jared Goff should see plenty of the ball and he has thrown 33 passes or more in seven of his last eight appearances. He has only failed to clear 244.5 passing yards in five of his 15 outings this season and with the Lions needing to win, expect him to air it out on Christmas Day.

Running back Jahmyr Gibbs only rushed for a measly two yards on Sunday, but the Lions could still lean on him heavily as they try to break the Vikings on the ground. Gibbs has registered 15 or more carries in seven games this season, with the Lions winning five of those fixtures.

Minnesota also concede 127.6 rushing yards per game, so this looks a perfect contest for Gibbs to return to his best after a quiet outing last week.

With McCarthy a serious doubt, Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson should see reduced numbers this week. He only registered two catches for four yards during Bromer’s last start, which was a 26-0 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 13.

All odds correct at time of writing.

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All odds correct at time of writing

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