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Sunday night. Ford Field. Division AND #1 seed on the line? The NFL script writers could not have drafted this up any better.  

After putting down the feisty San Francisco 49ers, the Detroit Lions look to reclaim the division and get their franchise-first #1 seed berth. In a season full of franchise firsts, this would be the cherry on top. In order to do that, they would have to take down the Minnesota Vikings for a second time this season. Easy feat? Hardly.  

If the Detroit Lions want to stop the Vikings from sacking Ford Field and stealing all of the treasure, they need to focus on doing the following: 

#1: Force Darnold to make some mistakes. 

In the last outing against the Vikings, Sam Darnold was pretty efficient. The Minnesota QB threw for 22/27, 259 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. However, expect more points in this game, as the defense is as banged up as it gets in this league. Because of that, the defense has ranked dead last in the month of December in virtually all metrics. There is one bright side. Sure, Brock Purdy looked like prime Tom Brady out on the field for the first half, but what changed in the second half? 

Kerby Joseph.  

The Lions star safety came up with two key interceptions in the second half, helping the offense to put up a sizable lead. That is exactly what the defense has to come up with against this Minnesota defense. The Vikings offense ranks 5^th in passing yards and 12^th in total yards per game, giving the Lions secondary something to worry about. If the defense can force turnovers, the game is in the offense’s hands.  

#2: The offense has to be near-perfect.  

We are seeing a similar situation to the 2023 Lions squad, in which the offense was carrying the team while the defense floundered at rock bottom. Ben Johnson’s boys need to be as perfect as possible in order to stay in this game, and throughout the postseason. Although the Minnesota defense ranks towards the bottom when it comes to yards allowed, they are at the top when talking about interceptions and sacks. In the fourth quarter of the week 7 battle, the Vikings stripped the ball from boyscout David Montgomery and ran it back for a score. This could have been game changing had it not been for Jake Bates’ 44 yard FG to win it.  

If this team wants to win, they have to use all of their weapons to torch this Vikings defense. Jared Goff needs to take care of the ball and score on most of their possessions. He’s been clutch these past three weeks, keeping the team in games against Buffalo and San Francisco. St. Brown and Jameson Williams will have to have big games against this Vikings defense.  

With Knuckles out, Sonic needs to keep up his excellent two-game stretch without him. Against the Bears and Niners, RB Jahmyr Gibbs has seen the majority of the carries and has racked up 226 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns to go with it. Craig Reynolds looked reliable against San Francisco, and if needed, Vaki could step in and help out. 

If the Lions keep up their offensive prowess, they should look to steamroll the Vikings defense to a victory.  

#3: Dan Campbell needs to be Dan Campbell.  

Coach Campbell has gotten an enormous amount of criticism for his gutsy play-calling. In the San Francisco game just last Monday, a fourth-and-goal turned up empty after a pass was broken up, leaving the Lions still down by 8. Later on, another fourth-and-goal turned into a touchdown to Amon-Ra St. Brown, giving the Lions their first lead of the game.  

The Lions HC lives and dies by fourth down, and he needs to keep that mentality going forward. It’s what makes this team so tough and resilient. No matter the score, the team just can’t find it in them to quit. They’re going to need every bit of that Campbell magic in the regular season finale. 

What do you think the final score will be? 

I believe we’re going to be looking at a shootout, one where the Vikings make one mistake too many. If Goff and the offense can sustain their magnificence, and the defense can do just enough to keep the Vikings out of it, the Lions will be giving Detroit their first #1 seed berth in franchise history.  

41-38 Lions.