The stakes couldn't be higher for Sunday night's showdown between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions, but here's the thing — no matter who comes out on top, it's not exactly a season-ender for the loser. Lions head coach Dan Campbell knows this well, and he made sure to temper expectations when talking to the media this week.
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"It's exciting, but it's not like it's the playoffs," Campbell said with his usual directness, acknowledging that the regular season still has a lot to offer even after Sunday's matchup.
Sure, the winner walks away with the NFC's No. 1 seed, the NFC North division title, and, importantly, a much-needed playoff bye. But even for the loser, things aren't nearly as dire as they may seem. The No. 5 seed, while not ideal, still leaves them in the hunt, and depending on how the rest of the NFC shakes out, there's a real chance they could get another shot at postseason glory at home.
Campbell's message? Keep the focus on the here and now.
"It's the next one," he said. "It's exciting, but we all know it's still going to come down to the prep, and we've got to put the work in."
The plan is simple — step up, make plays, and see where the chips fall. It's about doing what's required to get the win, no matter how the game unfolds.
And that's the mentality the Lions will need as they chase their goal of securing the division title and the top seed. They've had this in their sights all season long, and now, it's right within their grasp. Still, Campbell remains grounded: "Our mindset is wholly on this game right now. It's about finding a way to win, period."
It's easy to get lost in the NFL hype, especially with Detroit's recent success. After all, the Lions have only dropped two games this season, both of them at home.
Yet, even if they do fall on Sunday night, they've positioned themselves well for the playoffs. They're undefeated on the road this year, and if they happen to face the Vikings again in the postseason, it will be a whole different beast — win-or-go-home, no second chances.
History shows us that division rivals have clashed for top seed glory in Week 17 before, and in both 1993 and 2019, the road team emerged victorious. But here's the kicker: Neither time did the postseason provide a rematch. It's a reminder that while Sunday's game is massive, the Lions and Vikings both still have more football to play before their true playoff tests begin.
For the Lions, Sunday night represents a chance to take control of their destiny. But regardless of the result, they'll be in position to make noise when the postseason rolls around — especially if they find themselves in a rematch with the Vikings in the wild-card round. And with three NFC North teams likely to make the playoffs, don't be surprised if these two, along with the Packers, see plenty more of each other come January. It's not just about Sunday. It's about setting up a January that could see them face off again — maybe more than once.
