Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell brings depth to each recreation.
As for Sunday night time’s matchup between the Lions and Minnesota Vikings, which is able to decide the No. 1 seed within the NFC, Campbell is aware of his adrenaline can be pumping.
“You could not write a greater situation,” Campbell mentioned. “That is fairytale stuff.”
The stakes are clear for the most recent recreation in a longtime rivalry between NFC North foes Detroit (14-2) and visiting Minnesota (14-2).
The successful group will seize the highest seed, a first-round bye and home-field benefit all through the convention playoffs. The shedding group will earn a wild-card berth and start the postseason on the highway towards the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Atlanta Falcons.
The Lions and Vikings took a lot totally different paths to the regular-season finale.
Detroit reached the NFC championship recreation final season and led by 17 factors at halftime towards the San Francisco 49ers on the highway. However the Lions faltered within the second half and misplaced 34-31 to the 49ers to overlook out on an opportunity to succeed in the Tremendous Bowl for the primary time in franchise historical past.
This yr, Detroit surged to a 12-1 file to start out the season and has been one of many prime groups within the NFL for months. Each Lions’ losses — a 20-16 setback towards Tampa Bay and a 48-42 defeat by the hands of the Buffalo Payments — got here by single digits.
Campbell is aware of {that a} No. 1 playoff seed may assist to stop a repeat from final season’s heartbreaking highway loss within the convention title recreation. The Lions even have been hit by current accidents, and a bye may present an essential additional week for gamers to relaxation and heal.
“You come out of that recreation and really feel like, what provides you the most effective odds to the place the last word (aim) is, which is as everyone knows what the prize is, and that is the Tremendous Bowl,” Campbell mentioned, reflecting on final yr’s playoff loss at San Francisco. “You attempt to set your self up the most effective you’ll be able to, and that is why you set these targets on the market.
“So, yeah, it has been there for some time. Actually, that is one thing we wish to do and we have had in our minds — division and one seed and all that, and it is proper there in our palms.”
In the meantime, Minnesota entered the season as a longshot to win the division, not to mention make a deep run within the playoffs. The Vikings went 7-10 a yr in the past and parted methods with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed as a free agent with Atlanta.
In Cousins’ place, the Vikings signed Sam Darnold to a one-year contract as a doable reclamation mission. In addition they drafted JJ McCarthy out of Michigan within the first spherical.
McCarthy sustained a season-ending knee damage within the preseason. Darnold took full management of the offense and by no means appeared again.
In 16 begins, Darnold has handed for 4,153 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned Darnold deserves reward for his excellence this season.
“You may inform a man what it will be like and you’ll inform a man a variety of issues,” O’Connell mentioned. “However solely the participant is liable for getting himself to the place Sam has gotten himself to.”
Darnold mentioned he was excited to take the sphere along with his teammates on Sunday night time. The Vikings are using a nine-game successful streak and haven’t misplaced since Oct. 24 towards the Rams.
“I’ll say this: It is enjoyable,” Darnold mentioned. “That is actually all it’s. Simply having a ton of enjoyable enjoying soccer proper now. No matter occurred final week and the week earlier than that, it would not matter proper now. All that issues is that this recreation and this chance, and that is all I am desirous about.”
Justin Jefferson is Darnold’s prime goal with 100 catches for 1,479 yards and 10 touchdowns. Aaron Jones leads the bottom assault with 1,093 dashing yards and 5 scores.
For Detroit, Jared Goff has additionally shined at quarterback with 4,398 yards, 36 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Amon-Ra St. Brown has 109 catches for 1,186 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Jahmyr Gibbs has rushed for 1,273 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The showdown additionally options an intriguing head-to-head problem between two of the extra revered assistants within the NFL — Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
The groups final met in Week 7, when the Lions held on for a 31-29 win in Minneapolis. Goff threw for 2 touchdowns and Gibbs rushed for 2 extra.
–Discipline Stage Media