Vikings at Lions: Division Championship Decided?
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Wonderful time of year for me. I LOVE Thanksgiving. Of course it is pretty much the typical, normal things that we liken the holiday to: the fall season, family get-together, feast, etc. And of course, Detroit Lions football.
Fondest memories of my childhood was Thanksgiving to see Barry Sanders and the Lions, especially when they went against Chicago.
As a kid, even if the Lions weren't on, my family still listened to the Lions on the radio (blackout reasons and because the Lions stunk), but when they were on, it was must-see TV. The most memorable moment as a kid at Thanksgiving was 1991, when the surprising Lions faced off against heavy favorite Chicago with both teams tied for first place in the old NFC Central (the classic black & blue division). The Lions won a war against Chicago, and ultimately won the division en route to their lone playoff win in the past 59 years and an NFC Championship berth.
25 years later, a similar issue has unfolded in the Motor City: the Lions and Minnesota Vikings are tied for the division lead while Green Bay is falling fast and Chicago has mailed it in (though somehow have wins against the Lions AND Vikings). While there is still plenty of football left, there is a chance whoever wins this game, wins the division come the end of the season. So, why do I think that? And what are the advantages of the winning team on Thanksgiving?
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
IF MINNESOTA WINS:
Detroit sees Dallas in Arlington later on. Good luck Lions.
1. DETROIT HAS TO FACE THE GIANTS, COWBOYS, AND SAINTS AS THEIR FINAL 3 ROAD GAMES. Ouch. And all three teams are clicking on offense right now too. It is a key weakness of the Lions.
Detroit's defense has been injury-prone and shoddy at best.
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2. DETROIT'S DEFENSE: Granted, they're middle-of-the-road, but compared to Minnesota it is a disadvantage for Detroit. But having to face those 3 teams and then having to add Green Bay as well does not really give great hope to the Lions.
Granted, the Bears beat Minnesota at home, but the Vikes get a depleted Bears squad at home the 2nd time around now.
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3. THEIR SCHEDULE IS FAVORABLE: Yes, they get Dallas too, but with 10 days to prepare (though so will the Cowboys), but at home as well as a home game with Indianapolis and a road game at reeling Jacksonville. The one game that will be worth noting is the Christmas Eve game at Green Bay. Crazy things happen on Christmas Eve games in the NFL.
Getting Peterson back before the season ends could be HUGE for Minnesota.
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4. ADRIAN PETERSON MIGHT RETURN BEFORE THE SEASON IS OUT: The Vikes got some news he could end up back before the season ends. Huge jolt to an offense that is DEAD LAST in the NFL. And he couldn't come back at a better time.
Detroit has struggled with the likes of the Jaguars and Rams.
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5. DETROIT IS NOT DOMINANT IN ANY ASPECT: Offense, defense, special teams. An argument can be made that the Lions could be 0-10 with all these close games. Or an argument can be made they can be 8-2. But the Lions haven't been as strongly as impressive as the record shows at this point.
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IF THE LIONS WIN
Golden Tate ended the game up in Minnesota just a few weeks back.
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1. DETROIT HOLDS A 2-GAME LEAD ON MINNESOTA: Meaning if Detroit ends up going 9-7, they probably walk away with their first division title in 23 years, thanks to the head-to-head matchup. I cannot see Minnesota winning 4 of the final 5, but 10-6 for Detroit is feasible if they win and will pretty much seal the deal for the division.
Detroit has a knack of upending teams late in games.
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2. THE LIONS WIN 4TH QUARTERS: Detroit has a knack of playing above their minds in the 4th quarter as they look like a Super Bowl team while Matthew Stafford looks like Tom Brady when the game is on the line. Every win has been a come-from-behind win and even the losses are close ones where they really stayed in it. So while I said Detroit could have been 0-10 this season they could also have been 8-2 maybe 9-1 as well.
Minnesota hasn't shown the same "come-from-behind" ability as the Lions have.
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3. WHEN MINNESOTA GETS DOWN, THEY'RE OUT: Seems like anytime a team builds a lead on the Vikings, Minnesota folds tent. Makes me wonder where the psyche would be if the Lions win and know they are 2 back. Dallas might end up being an automatic "L" as could Green Bay and even the Colts.
Bradford has been hit a lot since the bye week.
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4. SAM BRADFORD HAS BEEN RELIABLE, BUT..................: Not really his fault, but he gets drilled worse than any QB in the league this season. If anything I am very surprised he has played every game given he has been sacked 26 times this season (18 times in the last 5 games). Granted, he's played far better than anybody has imagined he would since being traded from Philadelphia, but teams are starting to play him given there is no run game in Minnesota right now and will not be afraid of blitzing him. And one does have to wonder if one hit will put him out for the rest of the season as that has been his NFL career, unfortunately.
If Ansah gets going, watch out!
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5. HEALTHY ZIGGY ANSAH WILL BECOME A MAJOR FACTOR DOWN THE STRETCH: Overlooked in the Lions season has been Ansah's injury and decline of sacks (14.5 last year to 0 this year). As mentioned before, the injury of his ankle limited him so far, but it seems like he is back after the quarterback and is healthy. If the Lions win against Minnesota, he will have a big game I think. And it might carry him.............and the team the rest of the way to a possible division title.
Since I am a Lions fan I refrain from predicting the game largely because I will jinx them. But the chances are good they can win tomorrow, and then the division later.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
