Above Image Credit: A to Z Sports
When: Sunday, Oct. 15, 1:00 PM EST
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis, MN)
Channel: FOX (check your local listings)
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings meet on Sunday in a clash of two NFC North giants.
Battle for the Top of the NFC North
The NFC North might be the toughest division in the NFL this season. Minnesota still has the top spot, but the rest of the teams are not too far from them. A loss from the Vikings will mean that the division battle for #1 will get even more feisty.
This isn’t the first time both teams butted heads to get to the top. In fact, Detroit won both meetings against Minnesota last season, including a regular season finale where they won the division, secured the No. 3 playoff spot, and hosted two home playoff games for the first time in years.
Detroit is just one win away from tying for first place. While there is no doubt towards Green Bay and Chicago, the Lions and Vikings are toughest to beat in the NFC North and the NFC itself. This game will be the greatest test of who’s more well-deserved of the top spot.
A Great Loss and Possible Returns
Minnesota could already be looking at an imminent win with of their players are scheduled to return this Sunday. Plus, the Lions lost a major player last week.
That major player would be NFL sack leader and DE Aidan Hutchinson. During their dominant 47-9 win over Dallas, Hutchinson was struck in the leg and had to be carted off the field. His tibia and fibula was shattered, and he received immediate surgery. He will be out for the rest of the season.
Vikings, on the other hand, could be welcoming back some defense players from the injury list. The players listed as questionable include DT Harrison Philips, LB Pat Jones II, and CB Akayleb Evans. Even one of them coming back could help strengthen the defense in this tough battle.
However, two key offensive players have not been confirmed to return yet. First, it’s RB Aaron Jones, who didn’t practice on Wednesday due to his hamstring injury. The other is TE T.J. Hockenson who had limited practice despite his knee injury.
Lions vs. Vikings: Final Prediction
The Lions defense isn’t so complete without Hutchinson, but they’re going to now have to improvise if they plan to take down one of the only two undefeated teams left in the NFL. They might have to get one DE from the practice roster, preferably Pat O’Connor because of his extended experience.
They will have to slow down Vikings QB Sam Darnold and throw him off his newfound game. If one of the questionable defense players make their way back, it could help their chances. However, some of them are gonna have a hard time performing at the level Hutchinson displayed this season.
Minnesota’s defense will have to turn all their focus to QB Jared Goff and the biggest stars of the Lions offense. They gotta slow down David Montgomery, Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs. All these men are speedy, so stopping them will be easier said than done.
Every Lions vs. Vikings game has been competitive. The last 10 games have been no exception. Minnesota might have won six of those, but Detroit has had their number, winning their last three consecutive meetings.
Besides, whichever one of them loses this game will have the opportunity to make up for it in the regular season finale on January 5th. Consider this a preview for the impending rematch.
