Vikings vs Lions Prediction 12/25/25 NFL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Vikings vs Lions prediction for this NFL game on Thursday, December 25th at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this week 17 matchup.

Minnesota Vikings Betting Preview

The Minnesota Vikings are 7-8 this season after they defeated the Giants by a score of 16-13 in their last game. Minnesota led 13-3 late in the second quarter, but they were tied at 13 in the fourth, before getting a field goal with about four minutes left for the win. The Vikings out gained New York by a total of 240-141, went 7-12 on third downs, and lost the turnover battle by a total of 2-1 in the game. Max Brosmer went 7-9 for 52 yards after McCarthy got hurt, while Aaron Jones Sr rushed 21 times for 85 yards. Justin Jefferson led the receivers with six catches for 85 yards in the win. 

Prior to that game, Minnesota defeated the Cowboys by a score of 34-26 and the Commanders by a score of 31-0. The Vikings have won three games in a row and they are currently last in the NFC North standings. Minnesota has scored 20.3 points per game with 173.7 passing yards and 103.1 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 21.3 points against per game this season. JJ McCarthy is dealing with a hand injury, so we may see Max Brosmer under center, while Justin Jefferson has 72 receptions for 917 yards and two scores this season. 

Detroit Lions Betting Preview

The Detroit Lions are 8-7 this year after they lost to Pittsburgh by a score of 29-24 in their last game. Detroit led 10-3 late in the first half, but allowed a crazy last second touchdown to go into the half tied at 10. Detroit played horrendous defense in the second half, which they nearly overcame, before getting stopped in the red zone for the loss. The Lions were out gained by a total of 481-361, went 6-15 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 1-0 in the game. Jared Goff went 34-54 for 364 yards and three touchdowns, while David Montgomery rushed four times for 14 yards. Jameson Williams led the receivers with five catches for 70 yards in the loss. 

Prior to that game, Detroit lost to the Rams by a score of 41-34, but did beat the Cowboys by a score of 44-30 before that. The Lions have lost three of their last four games and they are currently third in the NFC North standings. Detroit has scored 30.1 points per game with 255.3 passing yards and 123.4 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 24.9 points against per game this season. Jared Goff has thrown for 4,036 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while Amon-Ra St. Brown has 98 receptions for 1,194 yards and 11 scores this year. 

Why the Detroit Lions will win

• The Lions have won each of their last 10 games as road favorites.
• The Vikings have lost each of their last seven Thursday games as underdogs.
• The Lions have covered the spread in each of their last eight games as favorites following a home loss.
• The Vikings have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight December games as underdogs.
• The Vikings have lost the first quarter in each of their last four Week 17 games.
• The Lions have scored the first touchdown in each of their last nine games as favorites following a home loss.
• The Lions have won the first half in each of their last nine games as favorites following a home loss.

Total Points Facts

• Each of the Lions’ last eight December games as favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of the Vikings’ last seven December games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.

Minnesota Vikings Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 17, Max Brosmer has thrown the equal-most interceptions in a single game this season (4 vs Seahawks, Week 13).

Detroit Lions Player Prop Facts

• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored the last touchdown in four of the Lions’ last five games following a loss.
• Jahmyr Gibbs has scored two or more touchdowns in four of the Lions’ last five games following a loss.
• Jared Goff has recorded 23+ completions in each of the Lions’ last eight December games as favorites.
• Heading into Week 17, Jared Goff is the only player to have recorded 4000+ passing yards in each of the last three seasons. (including 2025).

Matchup/League Facts

• Vikings – two different players have recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 17.
• Vikings – five different players have recorded 2.0 sacks or more in a game this season – most in the NFL, heading into Week 17.
• Lions – two different players have recorded 80+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 17.
• Lions – two different players have recorded 90+ rushing yards in a game this season – equal-most in the NFL, heading into Week 17.

Vikings vs Lions Prediction 

Detroit comes into this game clinging to their postseason hopes, as they need to go 2-0 to end the year + have Green Bay go 0-2. The Lions have played very poorly over the last month and their defense has been awful, as we saw last week against Pittsburgh. Minnesota has won three games in a row, but they will be in for a long day if McCarthy isn’t playing. The Vikings defense has allowed 13 points or fewer in two of their last three, but they will be tested here. I am going to take Detroit to cover on the road, but may rethink that if McCarthy is going to play. 

David Racey is 101-79 (56%) in the NFL this season and is one of the top NFL cappers on the NFL Leaderboard. Click here for his premium plays for this week!