The NFL regular season is set to conclude with a historic showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Both teams boast impressive 14-2 records, making this the first regular-season matchup where both competitors have at least 13 wins, combining for a remarkable 28 victories.
The stakes couldn’t be higher: the winner will clinch the NFC North title, secure the No. 1 seed in the conference, and earn a coveted first-round bye in the playoffs. The loser, despite an outstanding season, will face the prospect of entering the postseason as a wild-card team, starting their playoff journey on the road.
Game Information
Time: 8:20pm
Broadcaster: NBC
Spread: Lions (-3)
Moneyline: Lions (-160); Vikings (+135)
Over/under: 57
Detroit Lions
Offense
The Lions offense has had a historical season that Lions fans have been waiting for for a long time. Not since the days of Megatron has there been hope for this team to finally make the Super Bowl. In last week's outing against the 49ers, QB Jared Goff had 303 yards and three touchdowns, spreading said touchdowns to multiple targets, including Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam Laporta. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has been lightning waiting in a bottle and has really stepped up as the lead back with David Montgomery on the sidelines. This offense is top 3 in the NFC, shared with the Eagles and, of course, the Vikings.
Defense
The Lions defense is crippled. So many injuries have put cracks in this once-iron wall. But when this defense is needed, they step up in big moments. Last week, Safety Kirby Joseph picked off 49ers QB Brock Purdy twice (again, it would’ve been three had it not been for a PI call), becoming the NFL's league leader in interceptions. The defense has stepped up in big moments and delivered; the question is, can they do it again against the likes of Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold? We will find out in this game.
Minnesota Vikings
Offense
Sam Darnold should be Comeback Player of the Year, the way he’s been playing. Any team that picks him up should give him a contract if the Vikings aren’t the team to do it. Three touchdown passes and two of them to Justin Jefferson (who also had 144 yards receiving) in last week's win against the Seahawks. While the Seahawks were a team looking to keep their playoff hopes alive with a win, the Vikings were too much to handle in this game. Darnold and Jefferson are just another level of competition against them. This offense has already been lost to the Lions, but that was before all the injuries the Lions suffered. This offense is in much better form and will look to capitalize on all the inexperience in the backfield.
Defense
In last week's outing, the defense held its own against the Seahawks that were looking to win so badly to keep their NFC North standing hopes alive. Thanks to a few sacks on QB Geno Smith, and two interceptions, this defense was able to hold on a resurgence by the Seahawks late in the game. While letting the Seahawks have a lead for most of the game, this Vikings defense came in and delivered for their team to hold on and allow their offense to score. Like the Lions, this Vikings team knows how to come in in clutch moments.
My Verdict
There is a lot at stake with this game. The winner gets the NFC North crown and a first-round bye going into the playoffs. The loser will play in the wildcard, and the rank will drop to the 5th seed. I think the Lions know what’s at stake and what that much-needed bye week means for this team, whose bye week was all the way back in week 4. This will be a dog fight, but the Lions will come out on top
Final Score: 31-34 Lions
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