The Detroit Lions will travel to face the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, a game that initially seemed promising at the season”s start. However, both squads have encountered disappointing seasons, and the Lions are poised to join the Vikings in elimination soon.
In their previous encounter, the Vikings secured a win on the road with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. This time, they will be at home with undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer leading the charge. Historically, the Vikings hold a series record of 81 wins, 45 losses, and 2 ties against the Lions, including a home record of 44 wins, 18 losses, and 1 tie. Currently, the Vikings have won one game in a row against Detroit.
However, Christmas Day games have not been kind to the Vikings, who have a 1-3 all-time record on this holiday. The last time they played on Christmas, they suffered a significant defeat against the Saints, losing 52-33, where Alvin Kamara scored an astonishing 6 rushing touchdowns.
This matchup marks the fourth time in team history that the Vikings will play two Thursday games in a season, with previous instances occurring in 2016, 2000, and 1994. Unfortunately, I find it hard to maintain optimism, primarily due to the current state of the roster. Brosmer has yet to instill confidence in his performance thus far.
On the defensive side, the Vikings continue to play strong, but I doubt their ability to generate enough offensive momentum with Brosmer at the helm. Fantasy players, including those with Justin Jefferson on their rosters, may be concerned. The Lions might come out strong, particularly if they still have playoff aspirations. While Detroit”s performance this season has not matched that of the last two years, the Vikings appear to be struggling significantly at this point.
As we approach this Christmas Eve matchup, I wish I had better news, especially with the Vikings on a three-game losing streak. Given McCarthy”s fractured hand, my outlook feels reminiscent of Scrooge”s sentiments. I predict a Lions victory over the Vikings, possibly with a score of 31-12.
