Bill Belichick reveals huge factor that could determine Vikings battle with Lions

The Minnesota Vikings will host the Detroit Lions in a mid-season showdown at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, and legendary head coach Bill Belichick believes the crowd in Minneapolis could play a key role in who comes out on top.

Belichick praised the environment at U.S. Bank Stadium during a recent appearance on the "Coach with Bill Belichick" podcast with former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi and claimed that it will be a major factor this weekend, citing his previous experience as head coach with the New England Patriots.

“That’s another tough place to play in Minnesota. They have the light show, and then the 40-second [play] clock is right there on the field, so those pass-rushers can get off on any of those late snaps on the 40-second clock.

But that’s a great environment, too. Those fans are extremely loud and obviously supportive of the Vikings, and they should be. They have a great team this year.”

Bill Belichick believes Minnesota Vikings will benefit from home crowd in Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions

The Vikings have won their first five games in 2024, and part of it is rekindling their home-field advantage. 

After winning eight of their first nine home games with Kevin O’Connell at head coach, Minnesota has lost seven of their last nine games – including a 2022 NFC Wild Card loss to the New York Giants – inside U.S. Bank Stadium entering this season.

The Vikings have won both home games this year, but they’ve done it impressively, defeating a fellow NFC contender in the San Francisco 49ers in Week 2 and handing the Houston Texans their only loss of the season.

While Laremy Tunsil and C.J. Stroud could attest to the Vikings’ home-field advantage, Belichick has also had a tough time at U.S. Bank Stadium, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 41-33 in Super Bowl LII and losing 33-26 to the Vikings on Thanksgiving night in 2022.

Belichick’s co-host, former defensive coordinator and former Lions head coach Matt Patricia also had his observations about U.S. Bank Stadium and called it one of the more unique places to play in the NFL.

“The pregame, we’ve talked about that, I remember during one of our games and all the light shows – they go on, they go off – and you’re sitting there trying to adjust to everything that’s going on. It’s a fun environment, for sure.”

That experience, combined with a secondary ticket market that’s asking for roughly $300 per ticket, could create an intense atmosphere for the Lions in a game that Belichick believes will be one of the best in Week 7.

“That will be a good football game. Old-fashioned, hard-hitting game. Minnesota is physical on defense. This will be good.”

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