Three urgent questions before the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Week 18 showdown.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens passes during an NFL game against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 24, 2023, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn).
DETROIT — The Detroit Lions (11-5) end their historic regular season with a rematch against a Minnesota Vikings (7-9) team they played two weeks ago.
We’ll answer three burning questions ahead of kickoff below.
Can the Lions replicate their takeaway-heavy showing?
Detroit’s defense forced Nick Mullens into throwing four interceptions its way the last time these two played. Mullens is among four quarterbacks the Vikings have cycled through this season, with Kirk Cousins going down with a year-ending Achilles injury. And while he threw for 411 yards against these Lions two weeks ago, those four interceptions were the difference, including the clincher in the final seconds by Ifeatu Melifonwu.
The Lions have created six takeaways in two weeks, with their secondary playing a major role in not just the interceptions, but by getting home on blitzes and impacting the quarterback’s ability to let it rip. And with Ceedy Duce (C.J. Gardner-Johnson) inching closer to his return, Aaron Glenn and Co. are exploring three-safety formations with Melifonwu, Duce and Kerby Joseph, with rookie Brian Branch sticking in the slot.
“They’re showing up and we’re playing aggressive-style football,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re going after the football. We’re getting after the quarterback. Everybody’s doing their responsibility and then our safeties are getting hands on the ball and when they do, they’re making the plays on them.
“So, and then just — there again, being able to get to the quarterback and get it out of his hand is showing up. So, I want to believe that’s here to stay. My history says it does. If not, it’s because we’re not playing at a certain level now that it’s starting to show up. So, it’s going to be important for us. It’s important. But yeah, this is when you want it to show, this time of year.
How will the defense prepare for Vikings star Justin Jefferson?
It’s never an easy task, especially considering the Lions have been torched by star wideouts in back-to-back weeks, including Justin Jefferson and his big day on Christmas Eve. Jefferson did his best at willing the Vikings to victory that day, going off for six receptions totaling 141 yards and one touchdown.
And it didn’t get much better last week against the Dallas Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb caught 13 balls for 227 yards and one touchdown. And while the Lions have been quick to mention that 92-yard touchdown catch for inflating Lamb’s numbers, you can take that one away and he still has a 135-yard showing against this group.
Campbell wants to see his secondary be more physical at the line of scrimmage, whether in man or zone. And defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn agreed with that take, echoing the third-year head coach’s remarks.
Listen, in this league, when you play aggressive, I mean some people call it risk-reward, but it’s a fact that you went all the way to have that mindset,” Glenn said. “And listen, as a corner, man things are going to happen out there. You’re going to get beat. But man, it’s how you react to the next plays that come up, and to me that’s the most important thing. And our philosophy has always been, man we want to limit points. And I thought we did a pretty good job of that against Dallas.
“And we want to continue to do that. That’s the number one thing we try to do for the most part. And listen, we know there are some good players in this League, and we do everything we can to take that player out. And our guys just have to go up there and just get this job finished.
What are the chances the Lions can grab the NFC’s No. 2 seed?
The Lions head into the weekend with a 4% chance of landing the NFC’s No. 2 seed. They need to beat the Vikings, and they also need the Washington Commanders to beat the Dallas Cowboys and for the New York Giants to beat the Philadelphia Eagles for that to occur.
The Cowboys and Eagles play in the afternoon slate in Week 18, so if the Lions win, they get to watch those games and take it all in as they await those meaty playoff matchups.
“No, I mean everybody’s going to be wanting to see it and that’s why you need to win, so that you’re going to be excited to watch the games and see what happens,” Campbell said. “So, look, we’ve got to go finish out strong. We need to go out, play good football, good, clean, solid, competitive football against an opponent that is going to give us everything they’ve got. And look, they’re prideful. They don’t like what happened the other night.
I know what that is and so they’re going to come back with everything they’ve got at our place. So, we’ve got to be ready to go.”
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