With one more victory, the Detroit Lions will have won their first division title in 30 years. The Lions (10-4) have three games left, two of which are against the second-place Minnesota Vikings. They’ll take on the Vikings in Minneapolis on Sunday afternoon for their first attempt at securing the NFC North title. “We control our own destiny as it pertains to winning the division, no matter what happens (elsewhere),” Dan Campbell, the team’s coach, stated. “We won (Sunday) and the division.” We made the playoffs and will play at home. That is exactly where I want to be.”
With a win on Sunday, the second-place Vikings (7-7) can keep their division title hopes alive and increase their prospects of a wild card. They are presently the NFC’s sixth seed. “We can look at the bigger picture all we want,” said Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. “Having a laser focus on this game right now is the best way to handle and feel good about the bigger picture.” Nothing else is important.” The Lions defeated the Denver Broncos 42-17 on Saturday night, following a 28-13 road loss at Chicago on December 10. With five touchdown throws, Jared Goff tied his career high.
“There’s a reason why he was the first pick in the (2016) draft,” he remarked. “He can throw a football as well as anyone.” Thrower who is accurate and very natural. And the scheme he’s in now follows a lot of the concepts of a really excellent attack.” Following two uneventful appearances, Amon-Ra St. Brown had seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Sam LaPorta, a rookie tight end, grabbed three of Goff’s touchdown throws. The rookie running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery combined for 185 yards and a touchdown. After committing six turnovers in losses to Green Bay and Chicago, Detroit did not commit one against the ball-hawking Broncos. This season, Goff has been intercepted 10 passes and has lost two fumbles, but Campbell does not want him to play tight. “The most important thing is to let go.” “That is the message,” Campbell explained. “It’s not the other way around because, again, he’s one of the main reasons we’re sitting at 10 wins right now, him playing loose.” Simply trust your sight, play the progression, and throw with confidence.” Nick Mullens, his counterpart, will make his second consecutive start. Mullens passed for 303 yards and two touchdowns but was intercepted twice in Saturday’s 27-24 overtime loss to Cincinnati. Mullens has three solid targets in T.J. Hockenson, a former Lion, and wideouts Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson. Addison caught both of Mullens’ touchdown throws, and Jefferson had seven receptions for 84 yards despite playing for the second time in two months due to a hamstring ailment. Jefferson had 11 receptions for 223 yards in the teams’ previous matchup a year ago in Detroit. In last season’s meeting in Minneapolis, he had three catches for 14 yards. “There’s nothing easy about going up against him,” Campbell remarked of Jefferson. “I know this — we can’t let him have 200 yards again.” Ty Chandler is coming off a 132-yard rushing performance as a replacement for the injured Alexander Mattison. Jerry Jacobs (hamstring) of the Detroit Lions did not practice on Wednesday. C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), who is on injured reserve, was able to participate in limited practice. Mattison (foot), linebacker Danielle Hunter (sickness), and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (back) were among the six Minnesota players who did not practice on Wednesday.
