ESPN REPORT: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 1:00pm EST U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis was Suspended By…
On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions will square off in an NFC North game at U.S. Bank Stadium. These division rivals will play each other for the first time in the next three weeks. It will be fascinating to watch if the home team wins all of the meetings like it did last year.With a 10-4 record, the Lions appear ready to win the division, while the Vikings, with a 7-7 record, are fighting for a postseason spot. Fans will want to stay tuned for this one because it has a lot riding on it in addition to the rivalry.
With three weeks remaining in the NFL, the Lions, who have quietly emerged as one of the better teams, will want to seize this victory to guarantee a home playoff game. There must be worry if the Lions, who have only gone 2-2 in their last four games, will lose two of those games against NFC North opponents. Detroit must believe that momentum is shifting back in their favor after defeating the Broncos by a score of 25 points the previous week. Dallas is the team that plays next, so a loss here might make for an anxious last few weeks for a team that has experienced numerous collapses during its long history.
Anything less than a victory on Christmas Eve would be disappointing because both teams have a seasoned squad and have a great record away from home this season.
Even with their current winning record, the Lions do have a long list of injuries. Eight more players are either probable or questionable, while nine players have already been declared out for this weekend. It’s good news for the offensive line that Penei Sewell (shoulder) is probably healthy. The availability of Chris Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), who is dubious and might reduce their depth in the secondary, is one to watch.
Detroit is third in the league in both overall offense and yards per play, so they should have an advantage when they have the ball. They rank second in running yards and have mainly relied on one of the most explosive backfields in the NFL. With a fourth-ranked passing attack and a quarterback with experience, this offense has a lot of potential for success. The secondary will need to find a method to contain a potent wide receiver room on the opposing team, but if they can rely more on their pass rush, it might throw Minnesota off-balance.
