The Vikings Can Do Something Hilarious in Week 17
The Minnesota Vikings‘ season may be over, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play spoiler for another team’s season.
The Vikings have the Detroit Lions rolling into town on Christmas Day this year, much to the chagrin of Lions’ tackle Penei Sewell. Thoughts and prayers for Sewell, the tens-of-millions-aire having to come into work on Christmas, but that’s the reality of what the NFL’s schedule-makers decided to roll with.
It may be to the chagrin of Vikings fans, too, who may have to spend three-and-a-half hours of their favorite football team getting slaughtered as a gift under the tree. Or, maybe rather coal in the stocking. This coming game couldn’t be more important for the kitties, whose playoff chances are hanging by a thread.
Vikings Can Dash the Lions’ Season Away on Christmas
Consider this glorious report from Sports Illustrated‘s Joe Nelson:
“Detroit can only make the playoffs as the last wild card if they win out and the Packers lose their final two games. That would see the Lions at 10-7, with the Packers a half-game back at 9-7-1. On the flip side, the Packers can clinch with a win or a Detroit loss or tie. Simple as that.
That’s where the Vikings enter the fray.
If the Vikings beat the Lions on Christmas Day, it’s over for the Lions. They’re done. Burnt toast. On to the offseason.“
Wouldn’t that be awesome? The Vikings have the opportunity to play Krampus on the Lions’ season, having a chance to completely sink their season into the dirt. A win against Detroit would also mean that the Vikings swept the Lions for the 2025 season, something that wouldn’t have been on even the most positive Vikings fan’s bingo card.
On the other side, the Vikes could tank the Packers’ season in Week 18. Nelson writes that Green Bay will be facing Baltimore in Week 17, a game in which both teams need to win for their playoff hopes. The Packers, of course, are facing QB uncertainty with Jordan Love in concussion protocol. The Ravens are going to bring everything, positioning the Vikings to kick them from the dance in Week 18, potentially allowing Detroit in if the Lions come out of Christmas Day victorious and Green Bay loses to Baltimore.
J.J. McCarthy’s Status is Unclear for Christmas Against Detroit
Unfortunately, it won’t be J.J. McCarthy, the man who daggered the Lions in Week 9, under center for the Minnesota Vikings. It would have been beautiful if it were McCarthy, who delivered the kill-shot, seeing as many Lions fans are also Michigan Wolverines fans who cheered on McCarthy to a National Championship.
McCarthy is dealing with a hand injury he suffered in Week 16 on the road against the Giants. Instead, in a short week, we’ll get Max Brosmer starting his first NFL game at home. And, now that I think about it, it would probably be even funnier if he were the one to eliminate the Lions from playoff contention.
