by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET, Thursday, December 25, 2025
Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Where to Watch: Netflix
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Lions -6, Vikings +6; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Lions -6, Vikings +6; Over/Under: 44.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Lions -6, Vikings +6; Over/Under: 44.5 points
Season Record
Detroit Lions: 8-7 (3rd place, NFC North)
Minnesota Vikings: 7-8 (4th place, NFC North)
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Detroit Lions: lost their last game at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24.
Minnesota Vikings: won their last game on the road against the New York Giants 16-13.
Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Preview and Analysis
The Lions are entering this game with an 8-7 record overall and they have a 1-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-3 in their home games, 3-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24. Jared Goff was the starting QB and he completed 34/54 passes for 364 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. David Montgomery led the team in rushing yards with 14. Jameson Williams led the receivers with 70 receiving yards on 5 receptions. Jack Campbell led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles while Aidan Hutchinson led the defense in sacks with 2. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Vikings are entering this game with a 7-8 record overall and they have a 2-2 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-4 in their home games, 4-3 in their road games, and they are also 1-1 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the New York Giants 16-13. J.J. McCarthy was the starting QB and he completed 9/14 passes for 108 passing yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Aaron Jones led the team in rushing yards with 85. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with 85 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Blake Cashman led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 9 assisted tackles while Jonathan Allen, Andrew Van Ginkel, Eric Wilson, Levi Drake Rodriguez, and Jalen Redmond each led the defense in sacks with 1. Byron Murphy came away with the only interception for them in that one.
Lions vs Vikings Prediction
The current betting odds have the Lions listed as a 6 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Lions have looked good in their games this season with their 8-7 record overall, but that record has them right near the bottom of the NFC North and fighting for a Wild Card spot. They haven't been a great road team this year with their 3-4 road record. Meanwhile, the Vikings haven't looked good in their games this season with their 7-8 record overall which has them right at the bottom of the NFC North. They haven't looked great on their home field either with their 2-4 home record this season. The Vikings have already been eliminated from playoff contention and don't have much to play for here other than spoiler. They are off a 16-13 win over the Giants in their last one and they have looked a lot better lately, but they did struggle against one of the worst teams in the league last week, and now they are going to be missing McCarthy who picked up an injury in that win. Max Brosmer has already played in this offense this year and it wasn't good. This is also a terrible situation for them since the Lions are fighting for their lives and will throw everything they have at this game. The Lions are off a 29-24 loss at home to the Steelers in their last one and that was the first time in over a year that they lost back-to-back games, but they will be looking to bounce back here and they are going to bring their best effort since the Vikings did beat them at home a few weeks ago. The best way to place a bet here is on the Lions to cover the spread in this game.
Lions Vikings Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Thursday, December 25, 2025 (4:30 pm ET start time) is Lions 45 Vikings 7.
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NFL Betting Trends
Detroit Lions: 11-2 ATS as a road favorite of 7 points or less. 6-0 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite. 5-0 ATS after a loss by 6 or less points. 20-7 OVER as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 19-7 OVER after playing a game at home.
Minnesota Vikings: 6-13 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record. 5-10 ATS vs. good offensive teams - scoring 24 or more points/game. 4-7 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging 235 or more passing yards/game. 8-3 OVER vs. good passing teams averaging 235 or more passing yards/game. 9-5 OVER versus good offensive teams - averaging 350 yards/game or more.
Key Injuries
Detroit Lions: A. Muhammad (DL) Injured - Knee. A. Maddox (CB) Injured - Back. M. Davenport (DL) Injured - Shoulder. A. McNeill (DL) Injured - Abdomen. A. St. Brown (WR) Injured - Knee. T. Kennedy (WR) Injured - Abdomen. G. Glasgow (OG) Injured - Knee. T. Decker (OT) Injured - Shoulder. A. Robertson (CB) Injured - Hand. T. Colon (C) Injured - Wrist. G. Manu (OG) Injured - Knee. C. Mahogany (OG) Injured - Fibula.
Minnesota Vikings: E. Wilson (LB) Injured - Thumb. A. Jones Sr. (RB) Injured - Ankle. T. Hockenson (TE) Injured - Shoulder. J. Mason (RB) Injured - Ankle. J. McCarthy (QB) Injured - Hand. R. Kelly (C) Injured - Concussion. J. Hargrave (DL) Injured - Thigh. B. O'Neill (OT) Injured - Heel. T. Chandler (RB) Injured - Knee. A. Keys (LB) Injured - Ankle. G. Bartholomew (TE) Injured - Back.
Notable Quotes
“We know the percentages. We know we’re not eliminated. We know some things need to go our way.” - Jared Goff after their loss against the Steelers in their last game.
“It was an interesting 24 hours or so for our team. But I’m really proud of the way the guys handled a little bit of the adversity yesterday and then found a way to win a football game.” - Kevin O’Connell after his team’s win against the Giants in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Detroit Lions
WR TeSlaa, Isaac
WR Williams, Jameson
WR St. Brown, Amon-Ra
TE Zylstra, Shane
QB Goff, Jared
RB Gibbs, Jahmyr
Minnesota Vikings
WR Jefferson, Justin
WR Addison, Jordan
WR Nailor, Jalen
TE Hockenson, T.J.
QB Brosmer, Max
RB Jones Sr, Aaron
FB Ham, C.J.
Statistical Leaders
Detroit Lions
Passing: Jared Goff (4,036)
Rushing: Jahmyr Gibbs (1,102)
Receiving: Amon-Ra St. Brown (1,194)
Touchdowns: Jahmyr Gibbs (17)
Minnesota Vikings
Passing: J.J. McCarthy (1,450)
Rushing: Jordan Mason (664)
Receiving: Justin Jefferson (917)
Touchdowns: Jordan Mason (6)
Coaches:
Detroit Lions: Dan Campbell (5th season)
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin O'Connell (4th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
