Officiating crew that screwed Vikings in Week 5 to work Lions game on Sunday

Earlier this season, the Minnesota Vikings had a chance to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in a Week 5 matchup inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

With the Chiefs up by seven points, the Vikings had an opportunity to tie the game up with a touchdown. However, the officiating crew missing multiple calls for pass interference and for the removal of the helmet ultimately resulted in Minnesota not being able to find the end zone, and they eventually left the field with a loss.

Well, that same officiating crew from Week 5, led by head referee Land Clark, will be back in the Twin Cities on Sunday for the Week 16 battle between the Vikings and Detroit Lions.

Minnesota Vikings can't let officiating come into play in Week 16 vs. the Detroit Lions

It's easier said than done, but Minnesota needs to play smart football and make enough plays on Sunday against the Lions to prevent the officiating crew from making any sort of impact.

Getting a win over Detroit will be tough enough, so overcoming any potential mistakes made by the officiating crew as well would make it even more difficult for the Vikings to get a win this weekend.

Minnesota has a ton to play for this week, as they are still in a good position to make the playoffs this season, but a victory on Sunday could also keep their slim chances of winning the NFC North title alive.

The Lions can clinch the division championship with a win over the Vikings this week. But if Minnesota wins their final three games, including Sunday's matchup, and Detroit loses all three of their final matchups this season, then the Vikings will win the NFC North crown for the second year in a row.

Step one of this process will begin on Sunday inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota's second-annual white-out-themed matchup. The Vikings got a win in this game last season. Can they do it again this year?