The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will meet on Sunday Night Football in Week 18, determined by who can claim the NFC North title and the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Both teams are strong contenders, with nine-game winning streaks and 14-win seasons.
Quarterbacks Sam Darnold (Vikings) and Jared Goff (Lions) have been playing elite football this season, leading their teams to victories. Darnold has thrown for a career-high 35 touchdowns, while Goff has compiled 36 touchdown passes and completed 71.7% of his passes in the last seven games.
The Lions’ defense is facing an uphill battle against the Vikings’ high-powered offense, which ranks ninth in points per game. Aaron Glenn’s secondary will be without its top cornerback, Carlton Davis, making this matchup even more challenging for Detroit. However, the return of veteran linebacker Alex Anzalone could provide a major boost to their defense.
Despite the odds being stacked against them, the Lions have shown resilience throughout the season. With a 58% chance of winning, they’ll need to capitalize on any opportunities to close out the regular season with a victory over Darnold and the Vikings.
Source: https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/odds-lions-beat-vikings-in-week-18