Coach Dan Campbell built this Lions team for games like Sunday’s matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. It’s not just another game, it’s two 14-win teams vying for the No. 1 seed, a week off and home field advantage until the Super Bowl.
After losing the NFC Championship game at San Francisco last January, the Lions’ goal became to earn the No. 1 seed. Even though they’re perfect on the road, getting the bye and staying home until the Super Bowl is the goal.
“You come out of that game and feel like it gives you the best odds to get to where the ultimate is, which is, as well all know what the prize is, and that’s the Super Bowl, well, you just – you try to set yourself up the best you can and that’s why you put those goals out there,’’ Campbell said. “So yeah, it’s been there for a while, so certainly this is something we want to do and we’ve had in our minds – division and one seed and all that, and it’s right here in our hands.”
The Lions beat the Vikings, 31-29, in their first meeting on Oct 20 and beat them both games in 2023.
The Vikings have won nine straight, scoring more than 30 points just once – 42 in a win over Atlanta.
“They’re well-coached, got a lot of good players – a lot of good players and they create issues, really, in all three phases that we’re going to need to be prepared for, but it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to,’’ Campbell said. “So, like I said after the game, these are exciting times, to be able to play these types of games, so we’re looking forward to it.”
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH:
ONE: Offense must pile on the points because the Lions defense is still the weak link due to injuries. In the last four games the Lions have averaged 37.5 points and outscored opponents 150-120 and overall they have a 533 to 333 advantage in points scored. In the first matchup against the Vikings, the Lions won 31-29. Last year the Lions beat the Vikings twice, scoring 30 points in each game. Goff was 22 of 25 for 280 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first game. He has thrown just one interception in the last seven games. Goff has a 77-percent completion percentage and 90.9 QBR vs. the Vikings blitz under Brian Flores, defensive coordinator. The Lions scored 30 or more points in all three games.
TWO: Contain Vikings WR Justin Jefferson. “Man, he is a special one. He’s my type of guy and you see the way he’s playing is starting to permeate to some of those other receivers,’’ Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said. “I think he’s one of the toughest guys playing that position. He’s an old school player, in my opinion, it’s almost like he’s a defensive guy playing receiver.’’ Jefferson had 7 catches, for 81 yards and a touchdown in the first game against the Lions.
THREE: The defense must make impact plays. “I thought that our top players outwilled their top players (in San Francisco) and to me, that’s what the focus is on for us. How many impact plays we can make and how our top players are going to outwill their top players,’’ Glenn said. In the first meeting, QB Sam Darnold completed 81.5 percent of his passes with 1 touchdown and 1 interception (by Brian Branch) with 244 passing yards in the first matchup. The LIons defense also gave up139 rushing yards in that game.
FOUR: Keep the run game going. Jahmyr Gibbs has done a good job with David Montgomery sidelined for the past two games. In those contests, Gibbs has a combined 226 rushing yards with two rushing TDs and 8 catches for 91 yards. He’s getting help from Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson and Vaki Stone. In the first matchup, Gibbs had 15 carries for 116 yards with two rushing touchdowns.
FIVE: Kicker Jake Bates could be the not-so secret weapon. In Monday’s win at San Francisco he kicked field goals of 57 and 42 yards, He did miss on two extra-point kicks – one was blocked. It’s something that was worked on this week.
LIONS INJURY REPORT: CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness) and WR David Montgomery (knee) are out; LB Alex Anzalone (forearm), WR Kalif Raymond (foot) and RB Craig Reynolds (back) are questionable.
VIKINGS INJURY REPORT: OLB Patrick Jones II (knee) is out); LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness) and CB Fabian Moreau (hip) are questionable.
PREDICTION: Lions 34, Vikings 31.
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