Detroit Lions host Vikings on Sunday Night Football in high-stakes battle to decide playoff fate

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions are gearing up for a historic matchup on Sunday Night Football as they’ll play host to the Minnesota Vikings for all the marbles.

Sunday’s matchup has the potential to be one of those memorable games in sports history as the NFC North rivals are battling not only for the division but for the No. 1 seed in the conference.

The Lions and Vikings are 14-2, and the loser of the Sunday Night Football matchup will travel during the first round of the playoffs.

The loser will be placed in the No. 5 spot, while the winner will have a first-round bye, which is something the Lions desperately need as they’re fighting the injury bug, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

Detroit is expected to get some reinforcement as linebacker Alex Anzalone returned to practice wearing a significant brace/cast on his left arm.

Read: Detroit Lions receive injury update on star player ahead of home showdown for NFC’s No. 1 seed

Anzalone hadn’t played since Week 11 when he broke his forearm during the team’s boat race against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

--> ‘It’s my arm’: Detroit Lions player appears to suffer gruesome injury in first half vs. Jaguars

The 6′3″ 238-pound linebacker was on the ground for a bit before getting helped off the field by a member of the Lions staff.

The eight-year Gator from Florida was walking off the field, holding his left arm to his side so he could tell teammates it was his arm as he headed to the locker room.

Read: Sonic, Knuckles, Goff power Detroit Lions to 8th straight win, dominating Jaguars in historic fashion

The Vikings' defense is led by Blake Cashman, who has 103 tackles, followed by former Michigan Wolverines standout Josh Metellus with 98.

Andrew Van Ginkel leads the team in sacks with 11.5, followed by Jonathan Greenard with 11.

Byron Murphy also leads the team in interceptions with six, followed by Camryn Bynum with three.

For the Lions, Jack Campbell leads the team with 119 defensive tackles, followed by hard-hitting Brian Branch with 103.

Although he is out for the season, Aidan Hutchinson still leads the team in sacks with 7.5, followed by Alim McNeill with 3.5.

Branch is second on the team with four interceptions, but leading the way is defensive player year candidate Kerby Joseph with nine.

Joseph had two interceptions against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

The free safety has recorded a multi-pick game in each of the first three seasons of his career (2022-24).

The multi-pick game was the first time a Lions' player since Yale Lary (1952-53, 1956).

While the injury news inspires Lions fans, the Vikings are coming into the matchup riding a nine-game winning streak behind the stellar play of world-renowned superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson and his team-leading 1,479 receiving yards.

Receiver mate Jordan Addison found his footing mid-way through the season as he’s notched 875 receiving yards.

The duo has been peppered with targets by quarterback Sam Darnold, who, through 17 games, has accumulated 4,153 air yards as the Vikings are riding a nine-game winning streak.

They also have former Green Bay Packers foe Aaron Jones toting the rock for over 1,093 yards.

But they’ll have to step into the Lions' den in front of their rabid fans looking to feast on Vikings' flesh.

The last time the No. 1 seed was on the line during the final week of the football season was back in 1993 when the Dallas Cowboys traveled to Giants Stadium to face New York in a battle of the NFC East Division.

Quarterback Jared Goff and his 4,398 passing yards will lead Detroit’s offense.

He, too, has a plethora of weapons, like Sonic (Jahmyr Gibbs) and Knuckles (David Montgomery) leading the rushing attack.

Gibbs has been the bell of the ball lately, accumulating 1,273 yards on the ground, while Montgomery finished the regular season with 775 yards, but he’s been out with an MCL injury.

Read: David Montgomery delays surgery, opts for rehab in hopes of Detroit Lions playoff return, per reports

Goff has a receiving core unlike any other. For instance, Amon-Ra St. Brown has 1,186 yards through the air, while Jameson Williams has 967 yards receiving.

Tigh end Sam LaPorta came in third with 53 receptions for 663 yards and seven touchdowns.

Both teams matched up earlier this season in Minnesota, giving football fans a glimpse of what to expect on Sunday possibly.

Read: NFL legend compares Jared Goff to Tom Brady after impressive comeback victory vs. Vikings

All the stars shined in the Lion’s comeback 31-29 victory, as Darnold had a a 100+ passer rating despite being sacked four times.

Jones had over 90+ yards and a touchdown, and Jefferson had 88 yards and a touchdown.

For the Lions, Goff had 280 yards passing, two touchdowns, and a passing rating of 140.0 while taking four sacks.

Gibbs had 116 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, while St. Brown had over 110 yards and a touchdown.

The Vikings took a late-game lead after a Montgomery fumble scoop and score.

But kicker Jake Bates (135 points) made a last-second field goal during the Week 7 heavyweight battle to overtake the Vikings for the top spot in the division.

Sunday’s matchup will be the fourth interaction of two teams fighting it out for the top seed in the conference, with the Cowboys being a part of two of those matchups.

Some are calling the NFC North battle the biggest regular season game in Lions history as it is for all the marbles.

With everything, including the No. 1 seed, divisional crown, and achieving a franchise record 15th win of the regular season on the line, Detroit believes they’re in prime position to receive the bye-week during the NFL Wild Card round.