The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings, both 14-2, face off tonight at Ford Field in Sunday’s biggest battle — and a potential preview of the NFC Championship game.
With the conclusion of today’s afternoon games, the playoff-bound teams are set. Tonight’s game will finalize the NFC playoff bracket.
The Sunday Night Football game is a winner-take-all for the NFC and NFC North crowns — and a first-round bye.
The winner gets the NFC first seed — the loser gets the fifth.
The Vikings Are Surging
If their Week 7 game is any indication, tonight’s game will be a close one. The Lions beat the Vikings in a 32-29 game with three lead changes, off a Jake Bates field goal with 2:17 left.
Since then, the Vikings have emerged as the NFL’s hottest team, winning nine in a row after a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
A Battle Between Top Top NFL QBs
All eyes will be on quarterback Sam Darnold, who is flourishing under the offensive system of Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Many see this as a comeback year for Darnold, who leads the NFL in completions, though he doesn’t meet the official criteria for the NFL award.
Tonight, he faces off against the Lions’ QB Jared Goff, who is third in the NFL this year in passing yards. But Goff will have to face a Brian Flores defense that is second in the league in rushing yards allowed and third in total points allowed.
Injury Report
Minnesota Vikings
- QB Brett Rypien
- CB Fabian Moreau
- LB Calvin Munson
- DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
- C Dan Feeney
- OT Walter Rouse
- OLB Pat Jones II
Detroit Lions
- RB David Montgomery
- QB Teddy Bridgewater (emergency third QB)
- OL Giovanni Manu
- OL Kayode Awosika
- OL Colby Sorsdal
- DL Jonah Williams
- DL Brodric Martin
How to Watch the Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions
Kickoff for tonight’s game is scheduled for 8:20 PM Eastern.
The game airs live on NBC. It can also be streamed on the NBC and Peacock apps, NBC.com, NFL+, and streaming platforms that offer NBC through their bundles.
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