Live: Lions Stars Who Must Deliver Big in Playoff-Deciding Clash vs. Vikings
Sunday night’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings carries massive implications. The stakes? The winner claims the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, securing home-field advantage. The loser? They’ll drop to the No. 5 seed, forced into a Wild Card road game—an unenviable position, even for a potential 14-win team.
With so much on the line, here are the Lions players who must perform at their best to beat the Vikings and secure the top spot in the playoffs.
Key Lions Players Who Must Shine Brightest in Week 18
6. QB Jared Goff and 5. C Frank Ragnow
This quarterback-center duo is critical against the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense, led by defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whose unit boasts the league’s highest blitz rate at 38.5%. Flores’ schemes are designed to confuse offenses with unpredictable rushes and disguised coverages.
The Lions, however, have found ways to outsmart Flores’ defense in their last three meetings, averaging 30.3 points per game, while other teams average just 17.3 points per game against the Vikings.
Frank Ragnow on the Challenge:
“You have to be prepared for everything,” Ragnow explained to Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket. “The biggest thing I try to do is simplify it… compartmentalize everything—first- and second-down looks, third-down looks, these boxes, this box, this box—and try to make it as simple as possible. Easier said than done.”
Goff has excelled against Flores’ schemes, boasting a 118.2 passer rating, compared to the 83.2 rating other quarterbacks average against the Vikings. The synergy between Goff and Ragnow in recognizing and countering blitzes will be crucial on Sunday.
“We all try to understand that even though they’re trying to make it look chaotic, we gotta stay calm and communicate,” Goff shared.
Why This Game Matters
A win on Sunday night could mean a direct path to the Super Bowl, while a loss sets up a much tougher road through the playoffs. The Lions’ ability to handle the Vikings’ complex defense, anchored by Goff and Ragnow, will play a pivotal role in determining the game’s outcome—and perhaps the team’s postseason destiny.
Stay tuned for live updates as the Lions fight for the No. 1 seed and all the advantages that come with it.
