Most of Week 18 of the 2024 NFL season is a bit of a dud (and a decent argument why the 17th and seemingly inevitable 18th game are a bit pointless) outside of a couple of seeding match-ups in the AFC.
Except for one game, one glorious game on Sunday evening as the Minnesota Vikings travel to the Detroit Lions. This is a winner-takes-all game for not just the NFC North but also the No. 1 seed in the NFC, that all-important bye and of course, home-field advantage through the playoffs. These have been two of the best teams in football and it’s going to be fascinating to watch Jared Goff and Sam Darnold do battle, just as we all predicted. (Are we living in a simulation?)
Kevin O’Connell v Dan Campbell, Brian Flores v Ben Johnson – there are match-ups all over the place. The only real shame is that the Lions defense is just so banged up at the minute. What that does mean is that we’re going to see the Lions offense in that ride or die mentality that we witnessed against San Francisco. Even if you give the early slate of games a miss, you have to make sure you are watching Sunday Night Football. Read on to find what we’re tipping…
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions Bet Builder tips
Total Points – Over 56.5
TJ Hockensen – Over 56.5 receiving yards
Sam Darnold – Over 290.5 passing yards
Jordan Addison – Anytime touchdown
Jahmyr Gibbs – Over 125.5 total rushing and receiving yards
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
WHEN: Monday, January 6th, 1:23am
WHERE: Ford Field, Detroit
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports NFL
Total Points – Over 56.5
This just feels like it is destined to be an absolute shoot-out. Yes, the Vikings defence is an excellent unit that put the Packers in a blender but the Lions offense is a different beast altogether. As we said earlier with the defense so banged up Johnson knows that he has to be aggressive and creative in order to keep putting points on the board. We have no doubt that the offense will hold up their end of the bargain and we can’t see the defense stopping Minnesota. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see both teams get over 30 in this one.
TJ Hockensen – Over 56.5 receiving yards
It will be interesting to see how Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn goes about trying to come up with ways to stop Minnesota’s receiving trident, something teams have been trying (and failing) to do all season. Does he sell out to stop Justin Jefferson? Or try and contain them as a unit?
One player his team couldn’t stop on Monday night against San Francisco was George Kittle, who had his fourth 100+ yards game of the season. Hockensen is unlikely to go that big given the 49ers don’t have weapons like Jefferson and Jordan Addison but with his over/under set at 46.5 we really like him to get over that figure especially given how play caller Kevin O’Connell likes using him in short yardage situations to keep the chains moving.
Sam Darnold – Over 290.5 passing yards
And speaking of yards and weapons, we’re backing the hot hand of Darnold to stay hot. The Vikings QB had two quieter games against Chicago and Seattle before exploding against Green Bay and against the Lions defense he should go big again. A weakened pass rush should give him plenty of time to throw and remember, Brock Purdy went 22..5 yards more than Darnold’s over whilst throwing two mind-blowing interceptions.
Jordan Addison – Anytime touchdown
To cap off a trio of Vikings bets (can you tell we like their offense in this game?) we’re going for an Addison touchdown. Addison has back-to-back touchdowns and he actually has five in his last four when you consider the three he got in that monster game he had against Atlanta. He’s up to 10 for the season (the same as Jefferson just FYI) and only Ja’Marr Chase, Terry McLaurin, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Mike Evans have more this season.
Jahmyr Gibbs – Over 125.5 total rushing and receiving yards
One bet for the Lions here and there’s a pretty good reason, they are just spreading around the love at the moment. This is in part because of Johnson having to be creative and unpredictable but it is also just part of how Jared Goff likes to play quarterback. On Goff, we wouldn’t hate going over on his passing yards here but instead we’re going with Gibbs to have a big game.
With David Montgomery out for the time being (albeit potentially back for the playoffs) Gibbs has flourished as the every down back. In the two games since Montgomery’s injury he has gone for 154 and 163 yards total yards from scrimmage. His over/under here is set for 124.5 and it feels as if he is going to be the go-to guy for Detroit in this one.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions Bet Builder tips
Total Points – Over 56.5
TJ Hockensen – Over 56.5 receiving yards
Sam Darnold – Over 290.5 passing yards
Jordan Addison – Anytime touchdown
Jahmyr Gibbs – Over 125.5 total rushing and receiving yards
- A Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 13/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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