5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions – Week 17
By Chris Schad
With a long offseason ahead, the Minnesota Vikings will close out the 2020 season with a Week 17 finale against the Detroit Lions.
Sunday’s matchup between the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions has all the anticipation of a third preseason game. Actually, there’s an argument to be made that the “regular-season dress rehearsal” held every August might have more intrigue than what will be on the field on Sunday in Detroit.
Coming off an annihilation in front of a national television audience, the Vikings will look to finish their season strong with a victory over the Lions. Minnesota will be without the services of Dalvin Cook, who has left the team after the death of his father and will be down several other starters as they look to also go into the offseason without any major injuries.
The crazy part of this matchup is that the Lions may represent what could happen for the Vikings one year from now. After holding on to Matt Patricia for one year too long, the Lions limp into Sunday’s game with a 5-9 record and will be without Matthew Stafford and Kenny Golladay. With next year’s brain trust unknown, Darrell Bevell will hope to make his final case to become Detroit’s head coach in 2021.
The NFC North rivals will clash in a game without many implications, but will also determine who finishes in last place. In our five bold predictions article, we’ll try to find some of the more interesting angles in Sunday’s game and figure out who will come out on top.