Vikings-Lions Prediction + 2004 Flashback

Vikings-Lions Prediction + 2004 Flashback
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The 10-2 Minnesota Vikings and the 5-7 Detroit Lions are set to face off Sunday at Ford Field. Minnesota is coming off a 27-22 win at home against the New York Jets and is on a two-game winning streak. Detroit is coming off a 40-14 win at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars and has won four of their past five games.

The Vikings are 80-40-2 all-time against the Lions. They narrowly escaped against them in Wee 3 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Can they beat them again? They could, but it won’t be easy (a prevalent theme for every game this season outside of week one against the Green Bay Packers).

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In 2004, Minnesota won 28-27.

This year, they have won many games crazily. In that 2004 game, they won the same way. Detroit needed an extra point to send the game into overtime but botched the snap. Players gave head coach Mike Tice a huge hug (thankfully, neither got poked in the eye with his trademark pencil that was always behind his ear).

“We finally got a bounce to go our way,” Minnesota coach Mike Tice said.

Daunte Culpepper went 25/35 for 404 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Nate Burleson caught 5 passes for 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Randy Moss caught 5 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown.

On defense, Brian Russell recorded a team-high 8 tackles.

For Detroit, Joey Harrington went 25/44 for 361 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Kevin Jones rushed for 79 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Roy Williams caught 7 passes for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns. Az-Zahir Hakim caught 4 passes for 108 yards.

On defense, Teddy Lehman had a team-high 10 tackles and a sack. James Hall recorded 2 sacks.

(16) Vikings vs Lions 2004 Week 15 – YouTube

Minnesota clinched a playoff spot two weeks later and defeated the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the Wild Card round. Detroit finished the season at 6-10.

What would have happened had the Lions not botched that snap? They could have won in overtime, which meant no playoffs for the Vikings that year.

And then the upset win at Green Bay is one of the biggest wins in franchise history.

How will this Sunday go? It should be a very intriguing matchup. Either team could very well win. Detroit, though, has been playing well lately. They currently are not looking like the same team that has been a laughingstock for many years. The game being at Ford Field makes it even tougher.

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Both Minnesota and Detroit are 4-1 since the T.J. Hockenson trade. You can bet the former Lion is pumped to play his former team, especially with the game being in Detroit.

This could very well be the toughest game left on Minnesota’s schedule. It’s also this team’s most important game against Detroit in many years. If Minnesota wins, not only do they clinch the North, but they also have a good shot at the first seed.

Prediction: Lions win 30-24

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