The Detroit Lions’ goal of winning the NFC North title is within reach and will become a reality with a win on Sunday at the Minnesota Vikings.
It would be their first division title since Jan. 2, 1994, and guarantee a home playoff game. It’s a present that can’t be wrapped and put under the tree. It would be everything to coach Dan Campbell, his staff, the players and actually the entire city of Detroit that has been hoping for a winner.
“We are a young team and most of these guys weren’t born the last time we won a division,’’ Campbell said. “I think they also understand how special it would be. You’re telling me we could be a division winner for the first time in 30 years for an organization, that’s special. Whatever perspective you take, it’s still special. That’s the message and they understand that.’’
Quarterback Jared Goff said they have to concentrate on the game at hand against a team that has lost three of its last four games, the last one in overtime to the Bengals.
“A win gets us the division and we understand, we understand, we get it. I think I’ve said this before, but we don’t carry the weight of the last 30 years here, we don’t. It’s the 2023 Lions and we’re different than last year’s team and the year before and 30 years before that,’’ Goff said. “So, we’re trying to make our mark this year and we have a chance to do it this week. But yeah, it’s been a long season, we’ve had some success and hopefully can get it done.”
The Lions (10-4) , who haven’t made a postseason appearance since 2016, have lost nine straight playoff games going back to the 1991 season. Their last playoff win was on Jan. 5, 1992. It’s pathetic to say the least.
Detroit will face the Vikings (7-7) again in the season finale on Jan. 7. In-between they play at the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, Dec. 30. Sunday is not their only shot to win the division, but it is a good one. They just have to win it.
Five things to watch:
1. Once again Jared Goff needs to step up. He had five touchdowns against zero picks last week in the win over the Broncos. It’s an awesome ratio. Can’t expect those numbers every week but something in that range would help a lot. Campbell said his message to Goff this week is to continue to let it fly. Look for the speedy Jameson Williams to see more action,
2. The Lions must deal with the Vikings defense which is either max coverage or max pressure. “A lot of teams do that down in the red zone, but (Vikings defensive coordinator Brian) Flores has kind of taken that to a new extreme. At any time, at any moment. It’s been fun this week trying to dissect their defense. They do a lot and it’s hard, but our staff’s done a nice job trying to narrow down some things that we can key in on potentially, but he’s got a new wrinkle each and every week that we’ll have to be able to adjust to,’’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said.
3. Last year Vikings WR Justin Jefferson had a career-high 223-yard game against the Lions. “After missing eight games this year, he returned last week and is still getting his footing. “There’s nothing easy about it,’’ Campbell said. “I mean, I think – I know this, we can’t let him have 200 yards again. I mean, that’s the most obvious. So, we’re going to have to have some answers. He’s getting back in the flow. The other day he’s – you can start to see that he’s getting back and he’s going to be even better this week.’’ Minnesota QB Nick Mullens is expected to make his second straight start.
4. Get off to a good start so running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery can keep getting touches. “I mean (Gibbs has) been electric really since he stepped on the field for us. I don’t know if I’ve necessarily seen anything out of the ordinary. I know he had the one 30-yard run last week, but I don’t think any of us were surprised by it,’’ Johnson said. Vikings 13th against the run (giving up 98.6 yards per game) while the LIons have the second-best rushing game in the NFL averaging 140.9 yards per game. Here’s a fun stat: Montgomery and Gibbs each have two 20-yard touchdown rushes this season. The last time the Lions had two players with multiple 20-yard touchdown rushes in a season was in 1936 with Hall of Famer Dutch Clark and Ernie Caddel. And here’s another one: The Vikings have allowed just one run of 20-plus yards all season.
5. Lions can’t let pressure get to them and it doesn’t seem likely. While last week the key word is urgency Goff said it really hasn’t changed. “Still urgent, still understanding what our goal is, what our mission is and not much has changed,’’ Goff said. “I think last week – it’s not the worst thing in the world to sometimes get your ass kicked a little bit like we did in Chicago. So, it created that and it continues on.”
INJURIES: DB C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), FB Jason Cabinda (knee), CB Jerry Jacobs (hamstring), TE Brock Wright (hip) are out; LB Derrick Barnes (shoulder) is doubtful.
PREDICTION: Lions 27, Vikings 17. Winning the division has been the goal since Day One of training camp. Can’t see Detroit letting the opportunity slip away.
Lions Lowdown 