The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings are set to clash next week in a decisive season finale with the NFC North title at stake — and the entire nation’s football fans will be watching.
The Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, improving to 14-2 and edging a half-game ahead of the Lions. Regardless of Detroit’s Monday Night Football result against the 49ers, Minnesota’s victory guarantees that next week’s showdown will determine the division champion.
On December 29, the NFL confirmed that the game will be flexed to Sunday night’s primetime slot, typically reserved for the most pivotal matchups of the week.
Lions to Host Primetime Game
As Benjamin Raven of MLive.com highlighted, the Lions-Vikings matchup is highly anticipated, with both teams ranking among the league’s elite.
“It’s as exciting as late-season games get, featuring two of the NFL’s hottest teams competing with everything at stake in Game 272,” Raven noted. He explained that the league keeps Week 18 flexible, with game times left as “TBD” until after Week 17.
Raven pointed out that the Lions are having a historic season, boasting a 5-0 division record and aiming for perfection in the finale.
“The Lions are in the midst of their best regular season ever, dominating the NFC North and remaining undefeated on the road,” Raven wrote. “But the Vikings have applied pressure all year, remaining unbeaten since Week 8, and their Week 17 victory over the Packers set the stage for this crucial matchup.”
Beyond the division, the game carries greater stakes. If Detroit defeats San Francisco, the winner of next week’s contest secures the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, while the loser becomes the first 14-win wild card team in league history.
The game will also be historic. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted that only three previous games have featured two teams with such impressive records.
“Sunday’s matchup in Detroit will be just the fourth in NFL history between teams with 10+ wins above .500, according to @EliasSports,” Seifert posted on X.
No Rest for the Lions
The Lions won’t have the luxury of resting players in Week 18, but a victory over the Vikings would secure a crucial bye week to recover before the playoffs. Billy Riccette of USA Today’s Lions Wire reported that Detroit could soon regain a vital offensive piece.
Running back David Montgomery is sidelined with a knee injury for two more weeks but would return in time for the Divisional Round if the Lions secure the bye.
“The goal is for Montgomery to be ready for the Divisional Round, giving the Lions added motivation to clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and a Vikings loss to the Packers,” Riccette explained.
