The 2023 season was one of the Detroit Lions’ numerous high points. With one week remaining in the season, the Lions have already won 11 games and clinched the NFC North division title. It’s been a welcome change of pace for a team that hadn’t won its division since 1993 previous to this season. On Sunday, Detroit will play the Minnesota Vikings, a team that Dan Campbell’s team defeated just two weeks ago to win the NFC North division title. According to SI Sportsbook, the Lions are 5.5-point favorites in the Week 18 showdown at Ford Field, which kicks off at 1 p.m. The Vikings (7-9) enter this week having lost three straight games.
The Green Bay Packers defeated them 33-10 at home on New Year’s Eve. Minnesota suffered its first double-digit defeat of the season. Although Minnesota is two games under.500 heading into the last week of the regular season, it still has a chance to make the playoffs. According to The New York Times, Kevin O’Connell’s club has a 3% chance of securing a wild card position. Campbell & Co. won the first encounter between the Vikings and the Lions in ’23 by just six points, 30-24.
The Green Bay Packers defeated them 33-10 at home on New Year’s Eve. Minnesota suffered its first double-digit defeat of the season. Although Minnesota is two games under.500 heading into the last week of the regular season, it still has a chance to make the playoffs. According to The New York Times, Kevin O’Connell’s club has a 3% chance of securing a wild card position. Campbell & Co. won the first encounter between the Vikings and the Lions in ’23 by just six points, 30-24.
Detroit won the time of possession in the aforementioned Christmas Eve game, 38:22 to 21:38. It also sacked Minnesota quarterback Nick Mullens four times and held the Vikings to just 17 yards rushing. In the divisional game, Mullens also threw four interceptions. Mullens was benched in favor of rookie quarterback Jaren Hall for Minnesota’s Week 17 game against Green Bay following his troubles against the Lions.
