The Minnesota Vikings are currently on a hot streak, with a dominant 42-21 victory over the Atlanta Falcons and an impressive 11-2 season record. Despite the success, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy has expressed frustration over the media’s continued focus on the Detroit Lions. Although the Vikings are playing well without their top draft pick, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Murphy feels overshadowed by the attention the Lions have been receiving.
Murphy’s discontent with the Detroit talk came to the forefront after the Vikings’ win over the Falcons on December 8. During an interview with NFL analyst Tom Pelissero, Murphy was clear about his irritation, stating, “Y’all need to start talking about us.” His message to the media was direct: “We’re tired of the Detroit talk.” Murphy made it clear that while the Week 18 game against the Lions is important, his focus is on the Vikings’ performance every Sunday.
The Vikings cornerback continued to emphasize that his team is in the midst of a successful run, and he believes the media should give them more attention. “Talk about the Vikings because we on one right now,” Murphy declared, underscoring his belief that his team deserves the spotlight. His comments suggest that the Vikings are focused on their immediate goals, but the upcoming showdown with the Lions is definitely on their radar.
Murphy’s criticism of the Lions and their media coverage isn’t new. On December 6, after the Lions’ victory over the Green Bay Packers, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing buzz around Detroit. Speaking with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson, Murphy admitted he wasn’t happy with the Lions’ win and the subsequent media coverage. He also confessed that he was “over” hearing about Detroit’s success.
He made it clear that while the Lions’ win was legitimate, he didn’t enjoy the constant media chatter surrounding the team. Murphy said he was tired of hearing about Detroit, noting that the coverage was becoming repetitive. His comments reflected his desire for a shift in focus, away from Detroit and back to the Vikings’ own achievements.
Murphy’s frustration with the Lions’ media spotlight might stem from the Vikings feeling underappreciated despite their strong performance. As a team with a 12-1 record, the Vikings have been largely overshadowed by the Lions’ rise. Despite the attention on the Lions, who have a much less storied history, Murphy feels his team deserves more recognition.
The Week 18 game between the Vikings and the Lions is shaping up to be crucial, and both teams are eager for the rivalry to come to a head. With Murphy’s comments, it’s clear that he and the Vikings are motivated to prove themselves and reclaim the narrative, pushing back against the growing media focus on their division rivals in Detroit.
