It’s days like this that you wish there wasn’t a roof. NFC North rivals will collide on Christmas Day as the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Still, the joyous setting doesn’t negate the stakes. The Lions (8–7, 3rd NFC North) are on the playoff bubble with just two games to go, holding a slim 6% chance of reaching the postseason. And while the Vikings (7–8, 4th NFC North) have already been eliminated from playoff contention, they’ll be looking to drag their division rivals down with them.
The teams met for the first time in Week 9 in Detroit, where the Vikings stole a 27–24 victory. With far more on the line this time around, the Lions will turn to every weapon at their disposal to keep their playoff hopes alive — hoping for a return to form from star running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. ET. Detroit enters as a 7.5-point road favorite, while Minnesota sits as a +285 underdog. The game’s total is set at 42.5 points.
Ahead of the Christmas Day matchup, here is my favorite Jahmyr Gibbs prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Jahmyr Gibbs Prop Bet for Lions vs. Vikings
Best Bet: Jahmyr Gibbs Under 78.5 Rush Yards (-113)
On the heels of a dazzling sophomore leap, Jahmyr Gibbs has slowed down as his third NFL season approaches the finish line. While the former first-round pick out of Alabama has logged the NFL’s seventh-most rushing yards and second-most touchdowns, he has been mired in a brutal stretch of play that reached a new low in Week 16.
Against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21, “Sonic” mustered just two rushing yards on seven carries — far and away the lowest output of his career. Though he salvaged his day with 10 receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown, the performance marked his fourth straight game below 78.5 rushing yards and 10th such outing in 15 games this season.
While Minnesota’s rush defense has been far from formidable this season, it was strong enough to limit Gibbs to just 25 yards on nine carries earlier this season in Detroit — where he boasts 6.3 yards per carry compared to just 4.2 on the road. Gibbs has eclipsed 78.5 rushing yards just once away from home this season, doing so against a Washington Commanders squad that ranks 28th in opponent rushing yards.
Hoping for a holiday miracle is one thing, but betting on one is another. Given recent trends, count on the Vikings to keep Gibbs under 78.5 rushing yards for the fifth consecutive game on Christmas Day.
