For a few reasons, this Week 18 Sunday Night Football date offers a different flavour. Usually, the schedule makers will give the primetime curtain call slot to two teams fighting for their playoff lives. This year, it’s a game between two extraordinary sides who already have postseason berths but could have the NFC’s number one seed. It should make for a fascinating chess match.

Our NFL odds give the edge to the Lions, who are slight -3 favourites.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

How head coaches Kevin O’Connell (Vikings) and Dan Campbell (Lions) approach this game will be utterly fascinating. Both sides are playoff-bound, nothing can change that. What’s more important: being as healthy as possible for the postseason or earning a bye and the number one seed? Remember, the loser of this game will be a 14-3 road Wild Card team! Imagine playing one’s tail off for 17 games and not being awarded a home playoff game for their efforts.

Detroit has captured the last four meetings, including a sensational, nail-biting 31-29 victory as the away side earlier this season. The last time the Vikings won at Ford Field was four years ago, in January 2021.

Minnesota and Detroit have both in excellent ATS this season as well. The Vikings sport a 11-4-1 tally and the Lions 11-5-0.

The Lions are the highest-scoring team in the NFL in 2024, putting up 33.3 points per game and amassing 410.5 total yards a week (second-best). Their 266.1 passing yards ranks only behind the Baltimore Ravens.

On the other end, there is Minnesota’s fourth-ranked defence, which concedes only 18.8 points a week. It gives up virtually nothing on the ground, only 88.1 yards a game (second-best). However, they are prone to letting teams throw against them (243.6).

Minnesota Vikings

As if the Vikings hadn’t put enough exclamation points on their season, they grinded out a narrow, tension-filled 27-25 win over the hated Green Bay Packers in Week 17.

They almost proverbially fumbled the ball, as their 27-10, third-quarter lead quickly shrunk once the visitors found an extra great, but a bold final drive by the Vikings iced the contest.

Sam Darnold, the surprise hit of 2024, was excellent, finishing 33/43 for 377 yards and a trio of TD tosses. Former Packer RB Aaron Jones was held in check (47 yards on 12 touches), but the receiver corps at a field day. Justin Jefferson caught for 92 yards, Jalen Nailor for 81 and a score, and Jordan Addison put up 69 yards and a touchdown. Don’t forget T.J. Hockenson’s 68 yards.

The only thing that didn’t go well was the third down defence, which failed to stop Green Bay on eight of their 14 tries.

Some injuries to take note of: CB Fabian Moreay is questionable, as are LB Pat Jones (knee) and RB Jones (quad).

Detroit Lions

On Monday night the Detroit Lions returned to the scene of the bitter end to their 2023 journey. This time, they got the better of the San Francisco 49ers and in the process reminded everyone that they come to win every week.

The outcome was a little touch-and-go at halftime, however. San Francisco led 21-13, and Detroit’s already banged-up defence looked worse for wear. But the Lions completely dominated the second half, winning it 28-13 via turnovers (they picked off Brock Purdy twice) and a monster attack.

Jared Goff went 26/34 and tallied 303 yards, bolstered by three TD throws, including a phenomenal second-period play by which Amon-Ra St. Brown caught an initial pass and lateralled to Jameson Williams, who went to the house for six. RB Jahmyr Gibbs also balled in David Montgomery’s absence, bulldozing his way to 117 yards and a major.

The biggest concern for Detroit is the interminable list of injuries, yet this team finds ways to win.

Who Will Win Vikings vs. Lions?