Week 18 is here, and there is no bigger game than the Detroit Lions hosting the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football. The NFL universe will all be “waiting all day” for Sunday Night. Both teams enter the week with 14-2 records, setting up what could be the most meaningful game in regular season history.
The implications and stakes of this game are huge! There will be no resting starters, no tanking, and no love lost. The winner of this game will not only be the king of the NFC North (the best division in football) but will also lock up home-field advantage throughout the NFC Playoffs. On the other hand, the loser will be handed the No. 5 seed and have a much tougher road to the Super Bowl.
Lions Look To Win NFC
This game may be the biggest in NFL regular season history. The winner will only have to win two home playoff games to make it to the Super Bowl, having about a 50 percent chance of doing so. The loser must win a three-game road trip to New Orleans for the big game. Ford Field has become one of the league’s toughest places to play. The fans of Detroit have made their home turf into the NFL’s version of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the sense of being the “most electrifying” stadium in football. This division rival has been hot all season, with the Vikings being on the Lions’ tail all year.
The injury-filled Lions will have their hands full against Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings may be the shock of the NFL world this season after future franchise Quarterback JJ McCarthy was injured during the preseason, ending his rookie campaign before it began. Darnold has exceeded everyone’s expectations, having a great season and leading the Vikings to a 14-2 record. This is also causing a quarterback controversy in the “Twin Cities,” with fans asking themselves, “Do you trade McCarthy? Or let Sammy D walk?”
Detroit’s Keys to Victory
Everybody knows the injury woes that have hit the Detroit Lions this season. So, what is the key to winning this game against the Vikings? It’s simple. The Lions need to outscore the Vikings. Before you call me a dumb*** or say no s***, Bobby, I am not trying to give you an obvious observation like John Madden.
The Lions’ defense may struggle to stop Minnesota and may have to win this game in a shootout. Lions fans are becoming accustomed to these types of games. The defense has been depleted by injury, struggles to get a pass rush, and is giving up over 30 points a game in their last five games. This game may come down to whoever has the ball last or whatever team can make one key stop.
Detroit’s offense must help the defense by staying on the field with long, sustained drives that result in more than three points at a time. Jared Goff must take care of the football, which he has done a great job of this season. Minus the game against the Houston Texans, where he threw 5 interceptions. That won’t fly against this Minnesota team that is capable of racking up the points.
I would expect Jaymir Gibbs to be on full display this week as the featured back. Also, look for Amon-Ra St. Brown to have not only a good game but a great game. This guy plays with a chip on his shoulder and, with Justin Jefferson on the other sideline, look for the “Sun God” to ball out.
Final Thoughts
This might as well be a playoff game in its own right. I would pick the winner of this game to be the favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. I also think the loser of this game will lose in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. These teams will be coming off of an emotional high or low after this week, and it will be tough for the loser to recover.
The stakes have never been higher for these two franchises in a divisional regular season game! In a way, I am glad the Lions have had to play meaningful games throughout the season. It has kept them on their toes, and they have not let off the gas pedal. If the Lions can squeak out this win and Goff has a game to remember, he should get some serious MVP considerations! As Michael Buffer would say, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
