Sports

Game Preview of Vikings-Lions Sunday

December 20, 2018 / 3:31 PM EST / CBS Detroit

Vikings-Lions Preview

MINNESOTA (7-6-1) at DETROIT (5-9)

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions instructs his teammates from the line of scrimmage during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Detroit 14-13. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Fox

OPENING LINE — Vikings by 3 ½

RECORD VS. SPREAD — Minnesota 7-6-1, Detroit 8-6

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings drops back to pass the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)

SERIES RECORD — Vikings lead 73-39-2

LAST MEETING — Vikings beat Lions 24-9, Nov. 4

LAST WEEK — Vikings beat Dolphins 41-17; Lions lost to Bills 14-13

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions walks on the field before the game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 16, 2018 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

AP PRO32 RANKING —Vikings No. 13, Lions No. 25 (tie)

VIKINGS OFFENSE — OVERALL (15), RUSH (29), PASS (10)

VIKINGS DEFENSE — OVERALL (4), RUSH (13), PASS (4)

LIONS OFFENSE — OVERALL (24), RUSH (24), PASS (21)

LIONS DEFENSE — OVERALL (13),RUSH (16), PASS (11)

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 16: Xavier Rhodes #29 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after teammate Anthony Barr #55 sacked Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins in the third quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — Vikings can clinch spot in playoffs with win and losses by both Washington (at Tennessee) and Philadelphia (vs. Houston). Lions already eliminated from playoff hunt. ... Minnesota sacked Detroit's Matthew Stafford 10 times in previous meeting. ... Vikings have lost six of last nine games at Ford Field, including game vs. Giants in 2010 that was relocated when Metrodome collapsed during snowstorm. ... Minnesota's 10 sacks vs. Lions set franchise record. Vikings also had nine sacks vs. Dolphins last weekend, making them second team in NFL since 1990 to have two games of nine-plus sacks in same season. Jaguars did it in 2017. .. Vikings lead NFL with 47 sacks and are first in league in third-down defense (28.8 percent conversion rate) and second in red-zone defense (42.2 percent touchdown rate). ... Minnesota's Kirk Cousins needs 87 yards passing to reach 4,000 for fourth straight season and post fifth such season in Vikings history (Warren Moon in 1994 and 1995, Daunte Culpepper in 2004, Brett Favre in 2009). ... Detroit's Kenny Golladay led team with seven receptions for career-high 146 yards last weekend. He has 1,005 yards receiving on season. ... Lions trying to avoid first season with double-digit losses since 2012. Detroit lost at least 10 games 10 times in 12 seasons from 2001-12, but has not done so since. ... Lions put rookie RB Kerryon Johnson on injured reserve this week. DE Ziggy Ansah, WR Marvin Jones and G T.J. Lang are also on IR. ... Detroit RB Zach Zenner trying for third straight game with rushing touchdown. ... Fantasy tip: Could be good week to have Minnesota defense, given sack total from last meeting and Detroit's offensive problems. Lions have not scored more than 22 points since Oct. 21.