Week 18 NFL Odds: Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions

In week 17, the Minnesota Vikings proved they belong in Super Bowl conversations, after beating their top NFC North rival Green Bay Packers, boosting their season record to 14-2. The victory also set up arguably the most significant regular season finale in franchise history for week 18 vs the Detroit Lions.

Late last night, news broke that Vikings vs Lions was being flexed to Sunday Night Football, which is no surprise, given what’s on the line. Not only will next week’s matchup decide the winner of the NFC North, it’ll also decide who gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC, which includes a bye in the Wildcard round. The loser, of course, will drop to the No. 5 seed, which would mean a road game in the Wildcard round.

Week 18 NFL Betting Odds: Minnesota Vikings early underdogs vs Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have yet to play their week 17 game, which will happen on Monday night vs the San Francisco 49ers. But that doesn’t mean week 18 oddsmakers aren’t open for business on Vikings vs Lions. After Minnesota defeated Green Bay, major sportsbooks opened them as either +2.5 point (FD, DK) to +3 point (ESPN Bet) underdogs.

Since early November the Minnesota Vikings have mostly operated as weekly favorites. They’ll have a different reality in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. The Vikings are 8-4-1 against the spread, through their first 16 games this season.

There are some discussions within the sports betting community as to how much homefield advantage should really be worth. Traditionally, it is worth three points, which would mean this is a pick ’em game on a neutral field. Many experts have moved it to a 1.5 point advantage.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in a Mostly Dominant Victory vs Packers

In the first Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions game of the 2024 season, Darnold went 22-of-27 for 259 yards while splitting touchdowns and interceptions to one apiece. He used his legs for 39 yards and will continue to keep the Lions defense on their toes.

Darnold launches deep to Addison for 51 yards!

📺: #DETvsMIN on FOX
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— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024

This is not a very healthy Detroit Lions team, right now. David Montgomery is out with injury, leaving Jahmyr Gibbs as the lone productive running back. Their defense is also dealing with a significant amount of injuries. The Vikings lost Aaron Jones in the 2nd half vs the Packers. His status is TBD.