Once a marquee matchup, Vikings-Lions now comes with limited playoff stakes as injuries mount and both teams limp into Christmas Day.
The Minnesota Vikings (7-8) will host the Detroit Lions (8-7) at U.S. Bank Stadium on Christmas Day, a game that will mean a lot less than fans anticipated heading into the season. Minnesota's postseason dreams have been dead for two weeks, and Detroit only has an 8% chance to make the playoffs following a brutal 29-24 loss to the Steelers last Sunday.
Several Vikings starters have been ruled out for the game. J.J. McCarthy (hand), T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), center Ryan Kelly (concussion), and running back Jordan Mason (ankle) were unable to practice on the short week. Additionally, rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew, who has missed the entire season with a back injury, will also be out.
Right tackle Brian O'Neill is questionable. He was limited in practice on Tuesday and Wednesday after being a game-time decision for Sunday's win over the New York Giants. If he can't play, it's likely that Walter Rouse will replace him, although there is an outside chance that veteran Blake Brandel could fill the role.
The Lions will be without cornerback Avonte Maddox (back/illness) and offensive lineman Giovanni Manu. Notable players listed as questionable are former Vikings EDGE rusher Marcus Davenport (shoulder), running back David Montgomery (illness), tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder), cornerback Amik Robertson (hand), and receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee).
Although the Vikings are only one game behind the Lions and beat them in Week 9, Minnesota enters the game as 7.5-point underdogs, per DraftKings. That is mainly due to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer starting in place of McCarthy.
Brosmer looked much better in relief of McCarthy on Sunday than he did in his four-interception performance in Seattle last month. Taking over on the final drive of the first half, Brosmer completed 7-of-9 passes for 52 yards against the Giants.
Kickoff is set for 3:30 CST and will be broadcast on Netflix. Snoop Dogg will be performing at halftime, hopefully bringing added excitement to a game that may not have much of an impact on the NFL landscape these final two weeks of the season.