Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Expert Picks: December 24th Preview, Betting Odds and NFL Picks

There are huge play-off implications in this NFC North matchup in Minnesota, where the Vikings welcome the division-leading Detroit Lions – who are hoping to secure their first NFC North title ever.

Our American Football expert Joshua Jones has his best value pick for the Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions game and gives the latest value betting picks & predictions, but if you want more from our experts, check out our Expert Insights section. 

• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Pick: TJ Hockenson 5+ Receptions and 50+ Receiving Yards
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Expert Picks
• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Game Info
• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Betting Lines
• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Trends
• Minnesota Vikings Stats & Form 
• Detroit Lions Stats & Form 
• Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Where to Watch
• Safer Gambling 

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Expert Picks

The Detroit Lions (10-4) got themselves back on the right track last Saturday, with a dominating display against the Broncos saw them end Denver’s impressive run of form in devastating fashion, becoming only the second side to score over 40 points against Sean Payton’s side.

They did so in the wake of the Minnesota Vikings (7-7) throwing away a 17-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter as they succumbed to a 27-24 overtime defeat to the Cincinatti Bengals, allowing 213 yards and three touchdowns on the Bengals final three completed drives – having allowed just 127 on the six before that.

It was a capitulation akin to that which they had forced of the Indiannapolis Colts on the same week ast year, and now they must bounce-back to give themselves a fighting chance of playing postseason football this year.

They have leaned heavily on tight-end TJ Hockenson – whom they acquired from the Lions last season – in the absence of Justin Jefferson, and he put up impressive numbers in his first full year as a Viking.

He had 63 yards on six receptions last week to take himself over 900 yards on the year and will relish a match-up with a Detroit defence that has been a little soft against tight ends this year, despite their schedule being somewhat devoid of elite talents in the position.

Of the four opposing tight-ends they have faced that are currently ranked in the Top 15 for receiving yards this year; both Cole Kmet and Mark Andrews passed 60 yards, whilst Kyle Pitts and Jonnu Smith led the Falcons with 78 combined yards.

Hockenson has managed 50 yards or more in 10 straight games, catching five or more catches in nine of them at an average of 69.9 yards and 6.6 catches per game.

• Selection: TJ Hockenson 5+ Receptions and 50+ Receiving Yards
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 4/10

Odds available as of December 22nd 2023. Odds may now differ. 

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Game Info

• Date: Sunday, December 24th, 2023
• Time: 18:00PM (UK time)
• Venue: US Bank Stadium – Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Betting Lines 

Odds available as of December 22nd 2023. Odds may now differ. 

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Trends 

• The Detroit Lions are a league-best 9-5-0 ATS this season.
• The Minnesota Vikings are also 7-4-3 ATS this season.
• The Lions are 9-5-0 to the over this year.
• The Vikings are 4-10-0 to the over this year.
• Detroit are 5-1-0 to the over since their Week 9 bye.

Minnesota Vikings Stats & Form 

The Vikings, on their fourth starting quarterback of the year, still hold pipe dreams of a play-off push but have been severely held back by losing three of their last four games.

Their disastrous situation at quarterback has no doubt contributed to the fact they’ve only scored 12.3 points per game over their last three, but now they welcome back Justin Jefferson to a receiver room that could be one of the best in the league.

He has 740 receiving yards in just six starts against Detroit (123 per game) and will be key for Minnesota if they are to win this one and put their divisional rivals under any postseason pressure.

They would need to win out and see the Lions lose to the Cowboys, so its not out of the realm of possibility but its unsurprising to see them at a long 21.00 to win the division still. Oddsmakers also don’t fancy them to go all the way to the Super Bowl, as the Vikings are a 151.00 long shot to hoist the Lombardi Trophy come February.

Detroit Lions Stats & Form 

The Detroit Lions snapped their bad form in emphatic fashion last weekend, drubbing the surging Denver Broncos 42-17 on Saturday Night Football as their defence finally looked like it had figured some things out.

The Lions didn’t turn the ball over once and put up over 400 yards of offence in what was a real ‘get-right’ game that put them on the brink of winning their division for the first time since they won the NFC Central in 1993.

Jared Goff threw for five touchdowns – including a hat-trick for rookie tight end Sam LaPorta – and, importantly, protected the ball really well against a Denver defence that had been forcing a plethora of turnovers.

Their win last weekend – coupled with defeats for both the Packers and Vikings – mean the Lions have all but wrapped up the NFC North, with bookmakers offering a paltry 1.02 for them to do so. They have an outside chance (11.00) of pipping the 49ers, Cowboys, and Eagles to the NFC title – whilst oddsmakers make them 23.00 to win their first-ever Super Bowl.

Minnesota Vikings v Detroit Lions Where to Watch 

This game has not been selected for live coverage by Sky Sports in the UK, so can be viewed on the NFL Game Pass on DAZN airing at 18:00. Live highlights can also be found on NFL RedZone on Sky Sports Mix from 18:00.

SAFER GAMBLING

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