Similar Opposites

By far, the most important game of the week is the Sunday night clash between the Lions and Vikings. Winner of this game will hold the NFC North division title and would secure the #1 overall seed in the NFC. Nothing too crazy though, just some normal stakes for a game. Both teams are in, but this will be about bragging rights. This division has been an absolute titan of a division, with three teams making the playoffs and all having over 10 wins on the season. You’re also talking about teams with thinner history when it comes to league domination. And these two teams are right at the top, finally. The haters have been silences, the division is on the line, who is going to come out on top? I can’t wait to find out. Because the loser of this game falls to the #5 seed.

The Lions, what more do I need to say about the Lions. They are the second-best offense in the league, and while suffering some key injuries, have not slowed down their production. They have scored 150 points in their last four games. 150 points. They will need to be better on defense, as that has always been their Achilles heel in facing better quality teams. If they can slow down Sam Darnold and their slew of receivers, they have a great shot at winning this game. Minnesota also has a pretty average defense that allows more than 243 yards passing a game, which is 28th in the league. Conversely though, the Vikings only allow 88 yards per game on the ground, which is 2nd best in the league. If I’m Dan Campbell, I’m attacking with the run game to weaken their stronger defensive front, which then allows for their pass game to be doubly effective against their bad pass defense. That’s the game plan. Along with trying to get Darnold uncomfortable, which has been a challenge this year, this is the formula for success this week.

It's going to be hard to pick a winner. They’re both 14-2. Powerhouses of the NFC. It’s just been really something special out of these teams. It’s nothing less for the Vikings, who probably couldn’t have predicted their current placement at the beginning of the season if given a crystal ball. I think to win this game, Minnesota needs to do similar things to Lions. Firstly, they need to attack this weaker defense. Detroit is the second worse passing defense in the league, giving up over 250 yards a game. You bet Darnold and Justin Jefferson are going to be licking their chops at that one. Their whole receiving core will be poised to attack this secondary. Where they will have trouble is in their run game. As mentioned before, Detroit has the second best run defense in the league. Minnesota has a bottom half run game, which only tallies 108 yards rushing per game. If they want to win this game, they need to make the Lions bleed in the run game. Gash some runs, get them off their groove, and then attack their secondary. Similar plan to Detroit, with slight adjustments that custom fit this team’s identity a little better. With all of this being said, I think I will be taking Detroit here. If perchance Darnold does have a bad game, I don’t think there is much that can save them. If the Lions are successful in stopping the run, they would render this Minnesota offense more one-dimensional. Along with playing at home, they’re going to have all of Detroit behind them. Throw the division rivalry into the mix, sheesh, we are going to have ourselves a deciding final game of the 2025 season.