Lions vs Vikings Prediction - NFL Picks 12/24/23

Minnesota Vikings (7-7) vs Detroit Lions (10-4)

Game Info: Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm (U.S. Bank Stadium)

Betting Odds: Minnesota Vikings +3 -- Over/Under: 47 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Detroit Lions will play the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Detroit has alternated wins and losses over their last five games, while Minnesota has lost three of their last four games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Lions vs Vikings prediction.

Lions Preview

The Detroit Lions are 10-4 this year after they defeated Denver by a score of 42-17 in their last game. Detroit led 28-10 at halftime and they were able to coast to the victory in the second half. The Lions out gained Denver by a total of 448-287 and forced one turnover in the game. Detroit lost to Chicago by a score of 28-13 in the game prior to Denver, but did defeat New Orleans by a score of 33-28 in the game before that. The Detroit offense is averaging 27.3 points per game with 253.5 passing yards per game and 140.9 rushing yards per game. Jared Goff has thrown for 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for the Lions this season. David Montgomery has rushed for 855 yards and 10 scores, while Amon-Ra St. Brown has caught 94 passes for 1,175 yards and seven touchdowns. The Detroit defense is giving up 23.6 points against per game this season. 

Vikings Preview

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-7 this season after they lost to Cincinnati by a score of 27-24 in their last game. Minnesota led 17-3 going into the fourth quarter and 24-17 with 3:48 left in the game, but they allowed Cincinnati to tie the game and lost in overtime. The Vikings out gained Cincinnati by a total of 424-378 and turned the ball over two times in the game. Minnesota defeated the Raiders by a score of 3-0 in the game prior to Cincinnati, but lost to Chicago and Denver in the two games before that. The Minnesota offense is scoring 20.7 points per game with 248.8 passing yards per game and 98.6 rushing yards per game. Nick Mullens has thrown for 386 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions for the Vikings this season. Alexander Mattison (questionable) has rushed for 660 yards, while T.J. Hockenson has caught 91 passes for 902 yards and five scores. The Minnesota defense is allowing 19.2 points against per game this year. 

Minnesota Vikings Team Facts

  • The Vikings have won each of their last four games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
  • The Vikings have covered the spread in each of their last nine games as home underdogs following a road loss.
  • The favorites have won the first half in nine of the Vikings' last 10 Week 16 games.
  • The Vikings have won the first quarter in three of their last four December games as home underdogs against NFC North opponents.
  • The Vikings have scored the first touchdown in each of their last six games against NFC opponents.

Detroit Lions Team Facts

  • The Lions have won each of their last six road games following a home win.
  • The Lions have covered the spread in each of their last five games against the Vikings.
  • The Lions have lost the first quarter in each of their last three games as favorites following a win.
  • The favorites have won the first half in 15 of the Lions' last 16 games.
  • The Lions have scored the first touchdown in 13 of their last 16 games as favorites following a home win.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

  • T.J. Hockenson has recorded 59+ receiving yards in each of the Vikings' last seven games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
  • Kirk Cousins has recorded 315+ passing yards in five of his last six appearances with the Vikings as home underdogs against NFC opponents.
  • Myles Gaskin has recorded 46+ rushing and receiving yards in seven of his last eight Sunday appearances with his team as a home underdog.
  • Joshua Dobbs has scored a touchdown in each of his last five Sunday appearances with his team as an underdog.
  • Joshua Dobbs has recorded 41+ rushing yards in each of his last seven appearances with his team as an underdog against NFC opponents.
  • Kirk Cousins has thrown two or more touchdowns in each of his last seven home appearances.
  • Kirk Cousins has recorded 29+ completions in each of his last seven appearances at U.S. Bank Stadium.
  • Jordan Addison tied a career-high 2 receiving touchdowns in his previous game (including playoffs).

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown has scored a touchdown in four of the Lions' last five games as road favorites.
  • Jared Goff has recorded 24+ completions in each of his last three Week 16 road appearances.
  • Kalif Raymond has recorded 15+ receiving yards in 10 of the Lions' last 11 Sunday road games.
  • Jared Goff has recorded 330+ passing yards in four of the Lions' last five games as favorites following a home win.
  • David Montgomery has recorded 56+ rushing yards in each of the Lions' last six games.
  • Jared Goff has thrown two or more touchdowns in six of his last seven December appearances with his team as a favorite.
  • Jahmyr Gibbs has recorded 73+ rushing and receiving yards in each of the Lions' last five games following a win.
  • Aidan Hutchinson ranks 1st in the NFL in quarterback hurries (25) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

  • The Vikings rank 3rd in the NFL in 4th down percentage this season (65.2%).
  • The Vikings rank 3rd in the NFL in Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.8).
  • The Lions rank T2nd in the NFL in Q2 win percentage this season (64.3).
  • The Lions rank T2nd in the NFL in H1 win percentage this season (78.6).

Lions vs Vikings Betting Prediction

Detroit comes into this game looking to clinch the NFC North, but Minnesota is a desperate team and will have home field advantage. The Vikings have struggled in three of their last four games and blew a great chance to get a win last week in Cincinnati. Detroit has played pretty inconsistently over their last five games, but their offense does play much better when they are inside. I think this game is pretty even, especially with it being played in Minnesota, but I can’t trust Nick Mullens. Take Detroit here. 

David’s Pick Lions -3

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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