Week 18 - Detroit Lions (Away)
If our prediction comes to fruition, the Vikings will head to Detroit for a must-win game in the season finale.
While there is a possibility that the Lions could rest their starters with playoff position secured, head coach Dan Campbell recently made it sound like everyone will play as normal over the final weeks of the season.
“When we’re done with the season, they’re going to rest,” Campbell said earlier this week via Lions beat writer Matt Broder.
While that strategy could be detrimental to Detroit's playoff hopes, it checks out considering what they did last season.
With the Lions eliminated from contention, Detroit left everything on the field to keep the Packers from getting to the playoffs.
With C.J. Gardner Johnson and James Houston set to return for the playoffs, the Lions can eliminate the Vikings by winning this game.
If they don’t, they’ll have to face Minnesota for the third time in four weeks in a wild-card matchup where the winner goes home.
That proactive approach could spell trouble for the Vikings, who seem to be running on fumes.
While their efforts to make the playoffs are admirable, the Lions are just the better team and send Minnesota to an 8-9 finish.
Prediction: Lions win 31-17