In a particular Christmas afternoon recreation, the Minnesota Vikings host the division rival Detroit Lions.
Minnesota has received three video games in a row to enhance its report to 7-8. The Vikings had beforehand misplaced six out of seven to drop from 3-2 to 4-8, so it has been fairly the turnaround. These three video games all got here towards the NFC East, although, and the competitors can be more durable right here.
Detroit has misplaced two in a row and three of its final 4 because it has been making an attempt to remain within the thick of the playoff race. The Lions are coming off a wild loss to the Steelers whereby they scored two potential game-winning touchdowns on their closing drive, solely to have each negated by penalty. They should come away with a win right here with a view to maintain their playoff hopes alive.
Will the Lions maintain their playoff hopes alive, or will the Vikings put a fork on their division rivals? We’ll discover out quickly sufficient. However earlier than we element at some key storylines, this is a have a look at how one can watch the sport.
The place to observe Vikings vs. Lions
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 25 | Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Location: U.S. Financial institution Stadium (Minneapolis)
- Stream: Netflix
- Comply with: CBS Sports activities App
- Odds: Lions -7.5, O/U 43.5 through DraftKings Sportsbook
Key Storylines
- Lions’ playoff possibilities. Detroit’s postseason hopes are on life assist. Detroit is sitting in eighth place within the NFC, 1.5 video games again of the seventh-place Packers. The Lions have to win each of their remaining video games, and have the Packers lose each of their remaining video games. The Vikings will play an enormous position in that effort, as a result of they play the Lions and Packers of their final two video games of the 12 months. So, Detroit has to beat Minnesota after which root as laborious as doable for Minnesota subsequent week.
- Max Brosmer’s second probability? In Brosmer’s first begin, he went 19 of 30 for 126 yards and 4 interceptions, one in every of which was a choose six. That recreation, although, was towards the hellacious Seattle Seahawks protection. This Detroit protection is, to place it kindly, not that Seahawks protection. He ought to have a greater probability to get going right here. Perhaps his 7 of 9 for 52 yards efficiency in reduction of J.J. McCarthy final weekend will foreshadow a greater effort in what might be his second profession begin.
- Accidents in all places. The Lions have Sam LaPorta, Brian Department, Kerby Joseph, Terrion Arnold, Levi Onwuzurike, Brock Wright and extra on injured reserve. Principally their whole offensive line is banged up they usually have been enjoying a M.A.S.H. unit up entrance. The Vikings have Jonathan Greenard, Josh Metellus and Christian Darrisaw on IR, whereas gamers like McCarthy, T.J. Hockenson, Ryan Kelly, Jordan Mason and extra are possible out for this recreation after they did not apply on both Monday or Tuesday. That is numerous vital gamers on either side of the ball who’re unlikely to play.
Lions vs. Vikings prediction, choose
Brosmer goes to begin this recreation for Minnesota. Given what we have seen from him in his quick time within the league, that isn’t in any respect encouraging for Minnesota’s possibilities. Even towards a depleted Lions protection, I do not anticipate him to have a lot success. The Lions, in the meantime, completely have to put collectively their finest efficiency of the season right here with a view to maintain their playoff hopes alive. After the way in which the primary recreation between these two groups went, I anticipate them to bounce again and put up some factors, with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams placing on a present.
Choose: Lions 27, Vikings 10 | (Detroit -7.5, Below 43.5)
