NFL Odds Week 18: Vikings vs Lions Lines, Spreads, Betting Trends

Patrick Everson Sports Betting Expert

3 minute read

Week 18 of the NFL season continues with a matchup with minimal playoff implications in the NFC North between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. The betting odds see Minnesota as a 4.5-point underdog after seeing its postseason hopes slip away with a loss to Green Bay last week. Coverage begins from Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you need to know about the NFL odds for Week 18: Vikings vs. Lions lines, spreads, betting trends and more.

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Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions Odds

• Opening point spread: Lions -3.5
• Opening moneyline: Lions -200/Vikings +170
• Opening total: Over/Under 43.5 points scored
• Time: 1 p.m. ET Sunday (FOX)

UPDATE 10:45 A.M. ET SUNDAY: The Lions are up a tick since Friday (see below update), sitting at -4 on BetMGM's NFL Week 18 odds board. Spread tickets are 3/1 and spread money 2.5/1 on Detroit.

The total reached its high point of 47 this morning. Ticket count is 3/1-plus and money 6/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 2 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM opened the Lions -4 Sunday and headed up to -5/-5.5 Monday. But the line has been in decline since, getting to Detroit -3.5 Thursday and now sitting at -3.5 (-105).

Still, spread tickets and money are in the 2/1 range on the Lions. Further, moneyline tickets are nearing 3/1 and moneyline dollars are just shy of 2/1 on Detroit.

The total opened at 44 and has bounced all over this week. On Monday, it got as high as 46.5, and on Thursday, it briefly bottomed out at 41. It's now up to 46, with tickets running 8/1 and money beyond 9/1 on the Over.

UPDATE 10 P.M. ET SUNDAY: Detroit (11-5 SU and ATS) was dealt a heartbreaking loss on a controversial call in Week 17 at Dallas. The Lions scored a touchdown with 23 seconds left to pull within 20-19. They then decided to go for the 2-point conversion, and succeeded when Taylor Decker caught Jared Goff's pass.

However, Decker – an offensive lineman – was penalized for illegal touching, as referees said he didn't report as eligible. Detroit contended otherwise, but to no avail. The Lions were moved back 5 yards and could've kicked the extra point, likely forcing overtime.

But Detroit went for 2 again and failed, losing 20-19 as 4.5-point 'dogs.

Minnesota (7-9 SU/7-6-3 ATS) was still in the playoff picture heading into its Week 17 Sunday night game. But the Vikes had nothing for Green Bay, getting rolled at home 33-10 as 1-point faves.

The Vikings-Lions game came off The SuperBook's board once Packers-Vikings kicked off. Vikings-Lions will go back up Monday morning.

Click here for Vegas Insider senior reporter Patrick Everson's full NFL Odds Week 18 Report containing spreads, lines, and trends for every NFL matchup.

Vikings vs Lions Pick, Prediction

Action Network NFL betting expert Brandon Anderson offers this prediction:

Check back soon for picks!

Pick: TBD

For more NFL picks, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18: How to Bet Every Game & Every Team.

The One Stat to Know About Vikings vs Lions

Action Network NFL researcher Evan Abrams offers his top betting stat:

Check back soon for betting stats!

For more NFL betting stats, check out Action Network's NFL Week 18 Betting Trends, Stats, Notes.

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Patrick Everson

Patrick Everson is a senior reporter for VegasInsider. Based in Las Vegas since 1994, he's worked in the sports betting journalism/content space for more than a decade. He's most known for his deep roster of contacts behind sportsbook counters, providing readers and viewers with the ins-and-outs of how events are being bet. He's also a thought leader in the sports betting space, often appearing on or moderating panels at national conferences. More from Patrick Everson