10 quick thoughts on the Vikings loss to the Lions in Week 14

Even more rapid thoughts from Minnesota’s loss to Detroit

Cousins continues to love playing in Michigan: Whenever it’s time for Kirk Cousins to travel to Detroit each season, he typically plays some of his best football. Since 2018, Cousins has thrown 12 touchdowns and no interceptions while averaging more than 330 passing yards per contest during his games played inside Ford Field with the Vikings.

On Sunday, the Vikings quarterback threw for 425 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions to finish with a 124.5 passer rating. For Cousins, his 425 passing yards are tied for the most he’s thrown in a single regular-season game in a Minnesota uniform.

Lions are heading in the right direction: Going up against a 10-2 Vikings team, Sunday was a chance for the 5-7 Lions to prove that they’re beginning to figure things out in their second season under head coach Dan Campbell.

With their victory over Minnesota on Sunday, Detroit has now won five of their last six games, and they still have a chance to make the playoffs this season. No matter how things turn out for the Lions during the next few weeks, they should definitely be a team who can challenge the Vikings for the top of the NFC North in 2023.

No. 1 seed likely out of reach now: With their loss to Detroit and the Philadelphia Eagles defeating the New York Giants on Sunday, any hope of Minnesota finishing the season as the No. 1 seed in the NFC is now highly unlikely.

The Vikings would need to win each of their remaining four games and hope that the Eagles lose three of their final four matchups. With the way that Philadelphia has been performing all season long, the chances are very low that they will lose three of their next four games.

So if Minnesota is hoping to make the Super Bowl this season, the road to accomplishing that goal will likely have to go through Philadelphia.

Back inside U.S. Bank next weekend: The Vikings will have one less day to prepare for their next game in Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts, as the matchup will take place next Saturday at 12 p.m. central time inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

With the Colts losing six of their last seven matchups, it should be a great opportunity for Minnesota to get back on track as they inch closer to the playoffs.