Friday, January 3, 2025

Lions Links for Friday 1-3-25

Articles:


NOTEBOOK: LaPorta finishing the regular season strong:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/notebook-laporta-finishing-the-regular-season-strong

10 QUESTIONS WITH TWENTYMAN: How can Lions slow down Vikings' receivers Sunday night?:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/10-questions-with-twentyman-how-can-lions-slow-down-vikings-receivers-sunday-night


Amon-Ra St. Brown thinks playoff rules should change so teams like Lions can't be on road:  https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2025/01/03/nfl-playoffs-amon-ra-st-brown-detroit-lions-rule-change/77412664007/



Lions vs Vikings: Final injury report and medical analysis for Week 18:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/03/lions-vs-vikings-final-injury-report-and-medical-analysis-for-week-18/

Lions ST coach Dave Fipp not worried about Jack Fox's lack of punting reps:  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2025/01/03/lions-st-coach-dave-fipp-not-worried-about-jack-foxs-lack-of-punting-reps/

WWE Star Seth Rollins Would 'Love' Ben Johnson Coaching Bears:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/seth-rollins-wants-ben-johnson-coaching-bears

Alex Anzalone Must Be Able to 'Go Full Tilt' to Play against Vikings:  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/alex-anzalone-must-go-full-tilt-to-play-against-vikings

Lions Know Jared Goff Was a 'Number One Pick For a Reason':  https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/jared-goff-shines-in-nfl-prime





The Honolulu Blueprint: 4 keys to a Lions Week 18 victory over the Vikings:  https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2025/1/3/24333684/lions-vikings-preview-week-18-4-keys-victory-honolulu-blueprint

Average Lions-Vikings ticket over $500, 2nd most expensive NFL game this season:  https://www.wxyz.com/news/average-lions-vikings-ticket-now-over-500-2nd-most-expensive-nfl-game-this-season

With Lions counting on DB's against Vikes, Robertson eager for latest clash with "Jets":  https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-lions/detroit-lions-amik-robertson-ready-for-justin-jefferson


Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions: In-depth preview:  https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/vikings-lions-preview-week-18/

Security a top concern for Lions-Vikings showdown, after deadly attacks:  https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/lions-vikings-football-security-terrorism/


Analyzing the matchups that could define the NFL in Week 18 (Lions’ play-action passing vs. Vikings: The centerpiece of Week 18 is Vikings-Lions on Sunday Night Football, which actually brings this series full circle: The first edition of “matchups” discussed Jared Goff’s play against the blitz in Week 7. Goff will certainly need to get the ball out fast against pressure yet again, but another angle to watch is Detroit’s play action. The Lions have effectively been the NFL’s best play-action team all year. Detroit ranks first in play-action success rate and EPA per play, not to mention second in team offensive grade. Additionally, Goff’s 88.1 play-action passing grade ranks sixth among qualifiers.  However, Minnesota has been equally stingy against play-action looks. The Vikings slot second in EPA per play and success rate on play action. At the same time, the team’s coverage on play action hasn’t been quite as effective, sitting only 17th. Brian Flores’ defense hasn’t had much luck with getting home on play action either, generating just the 22nd-best sack rate.  In the first matchup between these powerhouses, the Lions ran play action 11 times to the tune of 11 yards per play and a 54.5% success rate. Likewise, Goff recorded a 72.6 PFF passing grade, zero turnover-worthy plays and no sacks on play action against the Vikings.  If Detroit’s play-action pass game continues to churn, it should allow the Lions to keep up with Minnesota’s high-powered offense in a shootout — but if not, the Vikings could easily seize the NFC’s No. 1 seed.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-matchups-could-define-nfl-week-18-2024

NFL Playoff Guide: What's at stake in Week 18 (Detroit Lions/Minnesota Vikings: No. 1 or No. 5:  The winner of Sunday Night Football earns the No. 1 seed. The loser is locked into the No. 5 seed. If the two teams tie, the Lions would get the No. 1 seed, as they won the first head-to-head matchup.):  https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-playoff-guide-whats-at-stake-in-week-18

NFL Week 18 bold predictions: Carson Wentz spoils Broncos' playoff bid (Gennaro Filice - No one doubts Detroit's ability to put points on the board, but can the injury-riddled defense prevent Minnesota from doing the same? That's the biggest question heading into Sunday night's clash of the NFC North titans. Missing starters on all three levels of his unit, Lions DC Aaron Glenn still has one elite factor at his disposal: the best safety tandem in the NFL today. Kerby Joseph leads the league with nine interceptions, while Brian Branch has an undeniable knack for playmaking that has manifested in the form of five takeaways (four picks and a forced fumble). In a thrilling shootout where defensive stops are rare, Joseph and Branch each create a key turnover, ultimately tilting the game in the home team’s favor.  Matt Okada - It's been more than six years since an NFL game featured more than 100 combined points, but I can't think of a better way to end the 2024 regular season. The Vikings defense is strong, but not strong enough to stop the juggernaut Lions offense, and Detroit's defense is far too banged up to stop Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and Co. In the battle for the NFC's No. 1 seed, both squads keep the pedal to the metal until the century mark is broken.  Brooke Cersosimo - The Minnesota Vikings have forced at least one turnover in every game this season. That trend continues Sunday night with a pick-six of Detroit quarterback Jared Goff, prompting more celebrations from the Vikings defense. This time, it's Cam Bynum and Josh Metellus doing a rendition of Ross and Monica Geller's New Year's Eve routine.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-week-18-bold-predictions-carson-wentz-spoils-broncos-playoff-bid



Ten crazy NFL predictions for 2025 offseason (3. Ben Johnson stays with Detroit Lions -- again.  If there's one man who has a seat reserved on the coaching carousel this offseason, it's Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. He's created arguably the most explosive offense in the NFL, and is a major reason why the Lions have been the best team in the NFC over the last two years.  Johnson was expected to take a head-coaching job last cycle, but surprised everyone by returning to Detroit. Why? No one knows for sure. It was reported Johnson wanted to be one of the highest-paid head coaches in football right off the bat. Then there was the Washington Commanders situation. Did he pull his name out of the running, or did Washington say no thank you? ESPN reported many were "surprised" by the pivot. Our prediction is that, for one reason or another, Johnson skips on a head-coaching job again. He shockingly returns to Detroit with a nice boost in pay.):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/ten-crazy-2025-nfl-offseason-predictions-deion-sanders-shedeur-sanders-team-up-garrett-wilson-traded-away/

Jared Goff vs. Sam Darnold: The epic QB battle no one saw coming:  https://sports.yahoo.com/jared-goff-vs-sam-darnold-the-epic-qb-battle-no-one-saw-coming-193900208.html

NFL Week 18 bold predictions: Which players and teams will turn heads? (Lions ride Jahmyr Gibbs to NFC North-clinching victory - Gibbs will have the best game of his young career with the NFC North title and the conference’s No. 1 overall seed on the line.  The Lions' second-year running back will produce a career-high 190 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns at home versus the Minnesota Vikings. Gibbs registered 116 rushing yards, 44 receiving yards and two touchdowns when the two teams met in Week 7. It’ll be wise for Detroit to feature Gibbs on Sunday night. His speed and versatility are a difficult assignment for the Vikings defense. The versatile running back will again have his way catching passes out of the backfield and slicing through Minnesota’s defense in what I believe is bound to be a high-scoring contest. — Tyler Dragon):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2025/01/03/nfl-week-18-bold-predictions-lions-vikings/77412907007/

Fans in Disbelief Over Skyrocketing Ticket Prices for Lions-Vikings:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/fans-in-disbelief-over-skyrocketing-ticket-prices-for-lions-vikings

Jared Goff vs. Brian Flores Could Decide the One-Seed in the NFC:  https://athlonsports.com/nfl/jared-goff-brian-flores-lions-vikings

PFT’s Week 18 2024 NFL game previews, led by Vikings-Lions (14-2 Vikings at 14-2 Lions (-2.5), Sunday 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC/Peacock (Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth):  The winner gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The loser falls to the No. 5 seed, with a trip to Atlanta, L.A., or Tampa Bay for the wild-card round.  t’s the first regular-season game in NFL history featuring two teams with 13 or more wins.  Minnesota is attempting to win 10 in a row for the first time since starting 1975 with a 10-0 record.  In the last seven games, Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold has 2,012 passing yards, 18 touchdown passes, and two interceptions. Over that same stretch, Lions quarterback Jared Goff has 20 touchdown passes and one interception.):  https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/pfts-week-18-2024-nfl-game-previews-led-by-vikings-lions


Vikings rule edge rusher Jones out with knee injury as Lions list LB Anzalone as questionable:  https://apnews.com/article/vikings-lions-week-18-injuries-764a0993a4d7e9e973509e8b3da705b2

Vikings’ passing attack keeps ascending with Jordan Addison’s keen development at age 22: https://apnews.com/article/vikings-jordan-addison-9840a32cc4447354e256444602eabd3c

Podcast:

Twentyman in the Huddle: Lions-Vikings Sunday Night Football preview:  https://www.detroitlions.com/news/twentyman-in-the-huddle-lions-vikings-sunday-night-football-preview

Video:





Nate Tice previews Vikings-Lions Week 18 matchup | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/nate-tice-previews-vikings-lions-week-18-matchup-gmfb

What are you watching for in Vikings-Lions Week 18? | 'GMFB':  https://www.nfl.com/videos/what-are-you-watching-for-in-vikings-lions-week-18-gmfb

WATCH - Dan Miller sits down with Lions linebacker Jack Campbell to discuss the big game on Sunday against the Vikings:  https://www.fox2detroit.com/video/1570703


Posted by LionsFan at 7:13 PM

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