Where to watch Lions vs. Vikings on Sunday Night Football: TV channel, time, live stream
The most exciting game of the 2024 regular season is also the very last one on the schedule.
The Detroit Lions are hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a Week 18 prime-time clash for all the marbles. Both teams sit at 14-2 records and are tied for first place in the NFC North. A win for either team on the year's final edition of "Sunday Night Football" means taking home not only the NFC North title but the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
The losing team will still make the playoffs but it will drop from the conference's top seed to its top wild-card spot – the No. 5 seed.
In essence, Sunday night's game will decide which team gets home-field advantage through the NFC championship game and which will have to hit the road to begin its playoff run.
Here's everything to know about how to watch "Sunday Night Football" in Week 18:
Where to watch Lions vs. Vikings game today
- Location: Detroit, Michigan
- Venue: Ford Field
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025
- Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- Game: Lions vs. Vikings
What channel is Lions vs. Vikings?
- TV channel: NBC
As with every "Sunday Night Football" game this season, the final iteration of 2024 will be available to watch on NBC.
Lions vs. Vikings live stream free
"Sunday Night Football" will stream on NBC's streaming service, Peacock. Football fans can also watch the final "SNF" game with a subscription to Fubo.
Watch "Sunday Night Football" with a Peacock subscription
Lions vs. Vikings predictions
- Vikings 27, Lions 26
The Vikings are 6-1 on the road this year, and both of the Lions' losses have come at home.
Minnesota is looking to secure its 10th win in a row and second NFC North title in three years. It will have a chance to do so against a Detroit squad that has been decimated by injuries this year, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
As of Friday afternoon, the Lions had 13 defensive players on injured reserve, including defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, defensive tackle Alim McNeill, linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez, and cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Ennis Rakestraw Jr., among others. Detroit got good news earlier this week with linebacker Alex Anzalone, who could return for Week 18's clash, but it's still missing many other key contributors.
That hasn't stopped the Lions from winning too often; they've been able to continue overwhelming opponents with their outstanding offensive performances instead. However, the Vikings could become a much more troublesome opponent with a defense that has given up the fourth-fewest points in the NFL this season (18.8 per game) under defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
This game should be close, as both teams are desperate to earn the No. 1 seed rather than fall to the No. 5 spot. The first game between these two teams earlier this year ended with the Lions on top in a one-score game. Minnesota's excellent defense and Detroit's stunning number of defensive injuries will be the difference this time.
Lions vs. Vikings odds
The Lions are favorites to defeat the Vikings, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Lions (-3)
- Moneyline: Lions (-155); Vikings (+130)
- Over/under: 56
Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered.
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Lions vs. Vikings play-by-play
You can follow the Lions vs. Vikings play-by-play here.
NFL playoff picture
Here's how the full playoff picture stacks up before the final week of the regular season:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners)
- Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)
- Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)
- Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)
- Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Miami Dolphins (8-8)
NFC
- Detroit Lions (14-2, NFC North leaders)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East winners)*
- Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West winners)*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
- Minnesota Vikings (14-2, wild card No. 1)*
- Washington Commanders (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Green Bay Packers (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
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