The last time the Vikings and Lions battled for a division title, they weren’t even in the NFC North.
It was 1994, and Minnesota won the NFC Central with a 10-6 mark to edge 9-7 Detroit. That’s the last time both teams finished in the top two, including ties, in a division race.
That appears to be changing. The Lions and Vikings are tied for first in the NFC North at 6-4, two games ahead of 4-6 Green Bay, entering Thursday’s Thanksgiving showdown at Ford Field in Detroit.
“This is an important game,” said Vikings coach Mike Zimmer. “I don’t necessarily think this is necessarily for the division championship. … There’s still a long way to go, but I do think it’s an important game for both teams.”
The Lions won 22-16 in overtime on Nov. 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium, so a win would sew up the tiebreaker and give them, essentially, a two-game lead with five to play.
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“Obviously, a missed opportunity a couple of weeks ago for us, so it’s right in our memory bank,” said Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway. “We know what we have to do to come get the win, so it’s going to be a challenge for us. We know we’re on a short week, they’re on short week, we’re traveling, so just it’s a huge opportunity for this football team to get back to where we want to be.”
It might not be the best time for the Vikings to play on a short week considering several players could have used extra time to heal. Punt returner Marcus Sherels (rib/ankle) has been ruled out Thursday, cornerback Terence Newman (neck) is doubtful and ESPN reported that wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) likely won’t play after being listed as questionable.
Diggs last year at Detroit caught six passes for 108 yards, including a diving 36-yard touchdown reception, in a 28-19 Minnesota win. He is third in the NFL with 67 receptions.
Safety Harrison Smith (ankle), linebacker Eric Kendricks (hip) and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn (ankle) are also listed as questionable.
At least quarterback Sam Bradford is healthy. While playing for Philadelphia last season, Bradford sat out a Thanksgiving game at Detroit with a shoulder injury and the Eagles were walloped, 45-14.
Bradford is happy to be in uniform this time, although he’s not a fan of Thursday games.
“If it were up to me, we’d be playing on Sunday,” he said. “But I think any time you get an opportunity to go out there and play on Thanksgiving, and play on a nationally televised game, I think you get excited about it. I think we’re exited about the opportunity, especially after the way the game ended a couple of weeks ago against Detroit.”
The Lions got a 58-yard field goal from Matt Prater on the final play of regulation to tie the score 16-16. They won on the first series of overtime on a 28-yard touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Golden Tate.
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“We’re going to have to dial in,” Tate said of the rematch. “This is going to be a big game. Both teams at this point control their own destiny, so who wants it more?”
