This article is part of our NFL Picks series.
NFL Picks and Predictions for Detroit Lions 
at Minnesota Vikings 
It's Week 17, and we get three NFL games on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate the holiday. The Detroit Lions (8-7-0) are barely breathing for a postseason spot, while the Minnesota Vikings (7-8-0) have since been eliminated. Kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EST, and it can be viewed or streamed on Netflix. C
After a wild and controversial finish in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, the Lions are really up against it. Mathematically, they're still alive, but it's an uphill climb of Mount Everest proportions to qualify for the playoffs at this point. The Vikings would love to put the final nail in the coffin of their rivals.
We'll break down the odds and provide best NFL bets for this NFC North showdown between the Vikings and Lions.
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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Odds
*Best lines at time of writing listed
- Moneyline: Lions -335 (Caesars), Vikings +310 (FanDuel)
- Point spread: Lions -7 (-115 Bet365), Vikings +7.5 (-114 Caesars)
- Totals: Over 43 (-110 Bet365), Under 43.5 (-110 BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics)
The line opened with the Lions favored by just 1.5 points, but it quickly rose for a number of factors. The main factor is that Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy has been ruled out due to a hairline fracture to his right hand, so QB Max Brosmer is expected to make his second NFL start. The team signed Indianapolis Colts practice squad QB Brett Rypien as insurance, too. The Lions are also desperate, too, as their playoff hopes hang on by a thread.
As far as the total, that opened at 46.5, and has settled into the 43 to 43.5 neighborhood. That's quite low for a Lions game, as the Over has cashed in five straight games. Keep that in mind, as we'll definitely touch on that again.
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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Betting Picks
These teams met in Week 9, and both teams were definitely much more bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, with half the season still in front of them, and promise was abound.
In that Week 9 meeting, Minnesota won 27-24 as a 9.5-point underdog at Ford Field as the Over (47.5) cashed. The Vikings had 20 first downs, 258 total yards and 116 passing yards, but they still managed to get the road victory. They leaned on a solid rushing attack, going for 142 yards on the ground, to just 65 for the Lions.
RB Jahmyr Gibbs was limited to just 25 yards on nine carries, or 2.8 yards per carry (YPC) in the first meeting. He'll be looking for much better results. TE Sam LaPorta had 97 yards on six grabs with a TD, but he is no playing in this Week 17 battle. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is in there, and he matched LaPorta's 97 receiving yards, while WR Jameson Williams had four receptions, 66 yards and a TD.
RB Aaron Jones Sr. had a game-high 78 yards on nine totes, while RB Jordan Mason ran for 36 yards on 10 carries. However, both of those tailbacks are dealing with injuries they picked up in Week 16, and it's very possible RB Zavier Scott is the lead back on Thursday with the quick turnaround.
WR Justin Jefferson had six receptions for 47 yards and a TD, a rare solid stat line for the star receiver this season. He has had a devil of a time trying to get on the same page with the carousel of quarterbacks featuring McCarthy, Brosmer and Carson Wentz this season.
The Vikings rank No. 2 in the NFL with just 2,790 passing yards allowed, with 14 touchdowns, 29 pass plays of 20+ yards and five plays of 40+ yards. It will be hard for QB Jared Goff, so we might get a steady diet of Gibbs and more RB David Montgomery than we've been seeing in recent weeks.
The Lions are in a lot better shape, in terms of health, and they're the play. I'd buy the extra point, and go with Lions -6.5 (-138 at FanDuel).
And, while Jefferson had 85 yards against the New York Giants last week, it's back to Brosmer, and back to mediocrity for the star wideout. He has been at 61 or fewer receiving yards in seven of the past eight games, so that's a good play in Week 17.
Lions vs. Vikings Best Bets:
- Lions -6.5 (-138 FanDuel)
- Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Under 62.5 Receiving Yards (-115 Caesars)
- Under 22.5 - First Half Points (-115 Fanatics, FanDuel)
Lions vs. Vikings Prediction
Lions 26, Vikings 16
This is going to be a slugfest. Expect a lower-scoring first half, as these teams feel each other out early on. Brosmer isn't likely to be slinging it all over the field, and it could be a slow go if both Jones and Mason are each ruled out.
The Lions should get their sea legs in the second half, doing enough to pull away for the cover, but don't expect anything to be easy in this installment, as the Lions just haven't been hitting on all cylinders this season.
