Vikings, Lions Battle For NFC North Lead On Thanksgiving
EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) -- Back in early October if you looked at the Vikings' schedule, you figured this would be just another win on the way to a division title.
Oh, how NFL times change. The Vikings and Detroit Lions are now the contenders to win the NFC North, with an edge right now to the Lions.
It's back at least a little, the swagger in the NFL that can only come from a win.
"Just get some confidence back to where it should be. I don't think we ever wavered, but you lose four in a row, guys are kind of walking around on egg shells a little bit," linebacker Anthony Barr said.
The good news is the Minnesota Vikings are familiar with Detroit, having just played them a couple weeks ago. They get to play them indoors, not outdoors, on turf just like they do at home. And it's a short week for both teams so that makes it simple, just go out and play.
What they learned the first time is that Detroit won't back down. The Vikings could not finish, they've changed offensive coordinators and not much else.
"I don't think it's been that drastic. I don't think the change is, I don't think Detroit is going to look at the film and say 'Man that's a completely different group,'" quarterback Sam Bradford said. "I think if anything, guys are just a little more familiar with some of the things that Pat (Shurmur) has been putting in."
It's really only one practice day this week. The advantage is you don't have time to overthink it.
"You're really just that's exactly what it is. You get up and go," offensive lineman Alex Boone said. "I think the hardest part is really trying to get all the plays down and really trying to understand their defense. It is a nice thing that did play them some so recently but at the same time you start to wonder what are they going to do differently."
And for one Viking, he gets to be with his home with his family because this is a bit of a homecoming. Audi Cole grew up a Lions fan, so he understands Thanksgiving.
"That is a pretty good deal. You know it's pretty cool playing on Thanksgiving. Watched it my whole life growing up and I think it's a neat thing," Cole said.