Sunday’s battle between the two leaders in the National Football Conference North Division couldn’t set up any better for the first place Minnesota Vikings. They are coming off their bye week after winning their fifth straight game over the New York Jets in London two weeks ago. The Vikings are at home and come into the contest relatively injury free.
Contrast this to the Detroit Lions.
They are playing their second straight road game after a tough challenge last week against the Dallas Cowboys in a game in which they lost their best defensive lineman for the season. Aidan Hutchinson suffered a broken leg in the Lions visit to Dallas and is out for the season. He was Detroit’s first pick in the 2022 draft out of Michigan and living up to his lofty draft status.
So, with all this on the table, the Vikings are a slight favorite this week at home against the Lions.
But, before we bemoan the Lions injury situation and travel schedule, know this, they are playing like the best team in football. Yes, they have a loss on their resume, but that tough game in Dallas was anything but. Detroit went into AT&T Stadium and shot the Cowboys down with their biggest home loss ever, 47-9.
Fluke?