The Detroit Lions can’t win the NFC North after taking the past two titles. The Minnesota Vikings were eliminated from playoff contention before they took the field two weeks ago.
The 29 wins these division rivals combined for last season are a distant memory now, the latest example of how quickly trajectories can shift for teams in this league from year to year.
The Lions and Vikings were a natural pair for one of the league’s three showcase matchups on Christmas Day, with high-scoring offenses and plenty of star power, but it hasn’t turned out that way. The earlier matchup on Thursday between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders also isn’t nearly as impactful as hoped, with both NFC East rivals eliminated from contention for the playoffs.
The Lions, at least, have a chance to return to the postseason, even if the odds are around 3%.
They need help, but the roadmap is simple: Beat Minnesota on Thursday and Chicago next week and have Green Bay lose its last two games, against Baltimore on Saturday and at Minnesota in Week 18.
After reaching the NFC Championship Game for the 2023 season and logging a franchise-record 15 wins last season, the Lions (8-7) are in trouble after losing at home to Pittsburgh last week for their first two-game losing streak in more than three years.
“We haven’t had that feeling. It’s creeping in on us now,” quarterback Jared Goff said. “We’ve got to find a way.”
Vikings turn to Brosmer again
Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer has been preparing in this shortened week for his second start at quarterback for the Vikings (7-8), yet another unexpected development in this rocky season.
Brosmer got a most difficult assignment in his first career start on Nov. 30 at Seattle against one of the NFL’s best defenses, with J.J. McCarthy sidelined by a concussion and Carson Wentz done for the year following shoulder surgery. Brosmer threw four interceptions in a 26-0 loss to the Seahawks that was the first shutout for the Vikings in 18 years.
This time, with McCarthy unavailable because of a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, Brosmer gets to play at home against a far more vulnerable defense — with the invaluable experience from Seattle ingrained in his mind.
“My dream for a long time has been to play in the NFL, and for me mentally to define myself by one game wouldn’t be fair to the younger me watching me play football in the NFL,” Brosmer said.
With three starters in its secondary on injured reserve, including star safeties Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph, the Lions defense has fallen apart. It allowed the Steelers three different 45-yard touchdowns last week, two rushing and one passing.
Brosmer, on the other hand, relieved McCarthy for the second half against the New York Giants and helped the Vikings win their third straight game, without any of the turnovers that crushed them against the Seahawks.
“It’s all about finding little ways to improve on your craft and improve with the guys you’re playing with,” said Brosmer. “It’s a good feeling to be in the huddle with the guys and see the fruits of your labor.”
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy missed his 2024 rookie season due to injury and has had trouble staying on the field this year. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Lions struggling to run the ball
The rushing attack that fueled Detroit’s success over the previous two seasons has lagged this year. The offensive line lost two starters from 2024 who weren’t adequately replaced, and injuries have had members of this season’s group in and out of the lineup.
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, as a result, haven’t been nearly as productive, and the play-action passing game Goff is so good at hasn’t been quite as effective, either.
Last week, the Lions netted just 15 rushing yards for their lowest total since 2016. They’re 0-6 this season when failing to reach 100 rushing yards, including the Nov. 2 loss at home to Minnesota.
“It’s very difficult to control anything if you can’t control the run game,” coach Dan Campbell said.
Lions get reacquainted with a losing streak
The Lions had won 15 straight times after a loss to match the league’s longest such streak with Denver (1984 to 1988) and Baltimore (2009 to 2012), according to Sportradar data, until their late rally fell short in the wild finish last week against Pittsburgh.
This is the first time Detroit has dropped consecutive games since starting 1-6 in 2022 during Campbell’s second season.
The stars go dark for the Vikings
The Vikings were one of only three teams that didn’t have at least one Pro Bowl selection, just the third time in franchise history that has happened — following 1983 and 2014. Last season, the Vikings had seven players honored while winning 14 games.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
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