When this season started, the Lions (8-7) at the Vikings (7-8) looked like a must-watch matchup featuring teams who were likely to be battling for a playoff spot. As the season progressed and the injuries mounted for an ineffective J.J. McCarthy the game looked more and more like it would only really matter for the Lions. Following losses the last two weeks for Detroit, however, the game features simply two middling teams. Dan Campbell’s playoff hopes are still alive, but they are most definitely on life support.
These teams met earlier this season on November 2 with the Vikings prevailing 27-24. McCarthy threw a couple of touchdown passes and the Vikings outgained the Lions on the ground, 142-65 to earn the win.
The sophomore signal-caller McCarthy (hand) is yet again a question mark for Thursday. Max Brosmer will start under center if McCarthy is sidelined.
Lets take a look at the matchup including a few key stats and trends, the quarterbacks, and those listed on the injury report in addition to McCarthy.
NBC Sports has all the latest info and analysis you need, including how to tune in for kickoff, odds from DraftKings, player news and updates courtesy of Rotoworld, and of course our predictions and best bets for the game from our staff of experts.
Game Details and How to Watch the Lions vs. the Vikings live Thursday
- Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
- Time: 4:30PM EST
- Site: U.S. Bank Stadium
- City: Minneapolis, MN
- Network/Streaming: Netflix
Want to check out the other games on the NFL schedule this week? We’ve got you covered at NBC Sports with all the matchup, venue, game-time and TV/streaming info so you won’t miss any of the action!
Game Odds: Lions at Vikings
The latest odds as of Monday courtesy of DraftKings:
- Moneyline: Detroit Lions (-250), Minnesota Vikings (+205)
- Spread: Lions -6
- Total: 44.5 points
This game opened at Lions -3.5 with the Game Total set at 48.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NFL schedule!
Quarterback Matchup: Lions at Vikings
- Lions Starting QB: Jared Goff
Last Game: 12/21 vs. Pittsburgh – 34-54, 364yds, 3TDs, 0INTs, Sacked 3 times, 1 carry for -1yd rushing
Season: 15GP, 348-507, 4036yds, 32TDs, 5INTs, Sacked 31 times, 16 carries for 43yds rushing - Vikings Expected Starting QB: Max Brosmer
Last Game: 12/21 at Giants – 7-9, 52yds, 0TDs, 0INTs, Sacked 1 time, 3 carries for -3yds rushing
Season: 6GP, 31-47, 220yds, 0TDs, 4INT, Sacked 5 times, 5 carries for -5yds rushing
Lions at Vikings: Team Stats and Betting Trends
- The Lions are 7-8 ATS this season
- The Vikings are also 7-8 ATS this season
- The OVER has cashed in 10 of the Lions’ 15 games this season (10-5)
- The OVER has cashed in 8 of the Vikings’ 15 games this season (8-7)
- Justin Jefferson set a franchise-record with 223 receiving yards in 2022 against the Lions
- The Vikings lead the all-time series 81-45-2.
Lions Player Injuries
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- LT Taylor Decker (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- LG Christian Mahogany (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- C Graham Glasgow (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- OG Trystan Colon (undisclosed) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- WR Tom Kennedy (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- DT Alim McNeil (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (abdomen) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- S Avonte Maddox (back) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- CB Amik Robertson (hand) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
Vikings Player Injuries
- QB J.J. McCarthy (hand) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- RB Aaron Jones (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- RB Jordan Mason (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- LT Christian Darrisaw (knee) has been placed on IR and is OUT for Thursday’s game
- C Ryan Kelly (concussion) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- RT Brian O’Neill (heel) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- DE Javon Hargrave (thigh) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
- LB Eric Wilson (thumb) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game
Rotoworld Best Bets
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NFL calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, stadium information and weather forecasts.
Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Best bets our model is projecting for this week’s game between the Lions and the Vikings
- Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline.
- Spread: Rotoworld Bet is recommending a play ATS on the Lions -6.
- Total: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Game Total of 44.5.
Rotoworld has you covered with all the latest betting info & tools for NFL with player news, game predictions, player props, futures, and trends!
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
