The stakes in Sunday night’s game between the Vikings and Lions are as high as they can get during the regular season. However, it’s important to note that the losing team will not be eliminated from playoff contention. Lions coach Dan Campbell understands this perspective.
While the game is crucial, Campbell emphasized that it’s not do-or-die. “It’s exciting, but it’s not like the playoffs,” he said to reporters. “The winner will secure the NFC’s top seed, the NFC North title, and a bye in the first round, while the loser will drop to the fifth seed, putting them on the road for wild-card weekend. Still, depending on other outcomes, the fifth seed could end up hosting multiple postseason games.”
Campbell continued, saying, “At this point, we’re focusing on the task ahead. It’s about preparation and hard work. We’re ready to give our best effort and allow our players to make plays. That’s the exciting part.” The ultimate prize — securing the NFC’s top position — adds to the intensity of the game.
“It’s always about setting yourself up for success, and we’ve had these goals in mind for a while. This is what we’ve worked for—division titles and a chance to be the top seed. We’ve got it in front of us now,” Campbell added.
He stressed that the Lions’ focus remains solely on the upcoming game. “We’ve got to win this one, just like we did against San Francisco and Chicago. Our goal is to find a way to win this game, no matter how it looks.”
Despite two home losses this season (to the Buccaneers and Bills), the Lions are in great shape for the postseason. They remain undefeated on the road, and if they face the Vikings again in the playoffs, that will be a true win-or-go-home scenario for both teams.
In past seasons, divisional rivals have faced off in final-week games with the top seed at stake. In 1993, the Cowboys played the Giants, and in 2019, the 49ers faced the Seahawks. On both occasions, the away team came out victorious, and there was no postseason rematch.
For example, in 1993, after the Giants won in the wild-card round, they would have traveled to Dallas had the Packers not beaten the Lions. Instead, they faced San Francisco and suffered a heavy defeat. Similarly, in 2019, the Seahawks triumphed in the wild-card round but would have visited San Francisco if not for the Vikings’ win over the Saints. Instead, they played Green Bay and narrowly lost.
With three NFC North teams likely to make the playoffs, it seems that the Vikings, Lions, and/or Packers may meet again in the postseason.
