Vikings vs Lions Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 1/5/25

MINNESOTA VS DETROIT (-3 57.5)

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Vikings vs Lions Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 1/5/25

Minnesota vs. Detroit | Sunday, January 5, 2025

There is no denying that the highlight of the Week 18 slate is the final game, with the Minnesota Vikings heading to Ford Field to tackle the Detroit Lions on Sunday night football. Unlike many of the games this weekend, there is everything to play for here, with the winner walking away with the NFC North title and the number one seed in the NFC. Conversely, the loser will have to settle for the fifth seed.

Detroit are averaging a league-leading 33.3 points per game this year, and are ranking inside the top six for both rushing and passing yards. Their 4.69 yards per carry, and 71.8% completion rate reflect an offense that is succeeding at almost everything they try this year, and it will be fascinating to watch them go to work against a very talented Minnesota Vikings defense. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has put all of his players in positions to succeed, and has befuddled good quarterbacks all season long.  His unit is conceding just 18.8 points per game, which is fourth best in the NFL, thanks mainly to their run defense, which is giving up the second-fewest yards per game, with 88.1.

This means that teams are passing against the Vikings at a league-leading rate of 63.3%, which is exactly what Flores wants. He is a genius when it comes to cooking up disguised coverages and simulated pressures, which has helped produce a league-leading 22 interceptions, and the third most sacks, with 47. It won’t be easy going up against a red-hot Jared Goff and one of the league's best offensive lines, but if anyone can come up with a game plan to stop them, it is Flores.

What’s more, Goff will know that the pressure is on to rack up points, because his banged-up defense is looking vulnerable. They have conceded over 30 points in three of their last four games, and it is difficult to see them being able to stop this surging Vikings offense. Sam Darnold has been a revelation in his first year in Minnesota, completing 68.1% of his passes for 4,153 yards and 35 touchdowns, making full use of the talent around him.

Justin Jefferson has been at his imperious best, collecting 1479 yards and 10 touchdowns, whilst Jordan Addison has also been superb since returning from suspension, picking up 875 yards and nine touchdowns in his 14 games played. Detroit is allowing the second most passing yards per game, with 250.4, and are tied for the most defensive pass interference penalties, with 18. That is a dangerous combination when going up against such an on-form and explosive unit, suggesting that we could be in for a very high-scoring affair on Sunday night.

It really doesn’t get much better than this to close out the season, with both teams desperate to convert their excellent seasons into a number one seed, and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

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UNDER 57.5