Lions/Vikings history

[74_75_78_79_]

Not too many simultaneous good seasons with these two. Minny was of course the 'newbie' at first upon entering the League in '61, but they since their existence have always been together with the Lions - and da Bears & Packers - in the same division. It's not like the Bucs or Cards being '5th wheel' in their respective times in the NFC Central and East. Yet Min/Det seems to be one of the lesser longtime, always together, division rivalries.

Their first simultaneous winning season was already in '64. Vikings went 0-1-1 vs the Lions but finished above them, 8-5-1 to 7-5-2. Of course this very 2024 season is the best that both have been at the same time, the first time ever that two 13+win teams have faced off in a regular season - this Sunday Night finale should be a Dandy! Their 3rd and 2nd-best simultaneous years would have to be '69 (Min 12-2, Det 9-4-1) and '70 (Min 12-2, Det 10-4; both make playoffs) respectively! In '71, the Vikings win the division yet again as Detroit went 7-6-1.

It wouldn't be until 1980 that they'd both compete again - for the weak NFC Central title. Minny won the tiebreaker between both 9-7s who split with each other. By sheer percentage points they got the nod with the better conference record...8-4 to 9-5! Both make the 'tournament' in '82. Detroit started off 1-4 in '83 as Minny started off 6-2. Vikings were still ahead of Detroit as late as Wk#12 but ended up collapsing.

There were simultaneous playoff years in the '90s with the two.

Vikings do lead the overall series in lopsided fashion, 80-44-2.

Neither have EVER MET in the playoffs! But this upcoming affair you may as well say is. Definitely the biggest-ever game between both!

Thoughts? Things to add to my brief summary which I'm sure there's plenty?


PS - I got a feeling that even if the Vikings lose this Sunday Night, and go one-and-done, that Darnold won the job (off course that locker room celebration, O'Connell smiling, inspires my thinking it). To those who disagree, what do you all think? What would it, then, take for Sam to keep the job over Wally-oops, I mean-JJ McCarthy. And where would HE then go?

[Brian wolf]

Darnold deserves the franchise tag, but if they are one and done in the playoffs, the team could let him walk--they did with Tarkenton(trade)Kapp and George, though Culpepper made sense--

What a season though, like I mentioned on the notes, thread. He could make fans forget about Cousins if he gets to the NFC Championship game. Some fans feel he will demand an extended contract but if gets the franchise tag, he will take it, unless he gets at least a divisional win in postseason.

The Lions have to be very smart against the Niners and rest certain players, though Campbell wants to keep building momentum. It should be a great game. Hopefully, Gampbell doesnt screw it up.

[74_75_78_79_]

What I should have mentioned OP is my wishing that both these teams never moved into a dome thus making the 'black and blue' division all the more just that! Just imagine this upcoming showdown at that old, grizzled future-Mall of America site! Nighttime which would make it even MORE-so frozen tundra like! That Viking statue, both teams sharing the sidelines, Viking staff stealing the heaters from behind the Lions' benches, etc.

Darnold deserves the franchise tag, but if they are one and done in the playoffs, the team could let him walk--they did with Tarkenton(trade)Kapp and George, though Culpepper made sense--

What a season though, like I mentioned on the notes, thread. He could make fans forget about Cousins if he gets to the NFC Championship game. Some fans feel he will demand an extended contract but if gets the franchise tag, he will take it, unless he gets at least a divisional win in postseason.

The Lions have to be very smart against the Niners and rest certain players, though Campbell wants to keep building momentum. It should be a great game. Hopefully, Gampbell doesnt screw it up.

The Lions need to properly treat this game tonight at San Fran as a meaningless game and bench all starters! Save it all for this Sunday Night and if you win, get yet another rest! Forget 'revenge' from last year's NFCCG! That was last year and the Lions returning to the playoffs and San Fran not (and SF not winning the SB yet again last year) should be enough for now.

As much as I'd like to see Detroit win a Lombardi as long as not at the Burgh's expense, especially win one under Campbell, the anticipated Eagles/Lions NFCCG has become less appealing simply because Detroit's entire defense is essentially kaput. Vikings at least offer up that very D along with an, at least, complete-enough offense. If the Eagles are the better team, then the they having to go to MInny ought to shrink whatever gap there is between both. I really don't want to see any team, not even my own Steelers yet alone also-blue-collar Detroit (nor Buffalo as well), actually go all the way to a Super Bowl and win it with just offense! Even the '19 Chiefs had just enough of a D.

[CSKreager]

1995’s Thanksgiving barnburner

44-38!

[RichardBak]

What I should have mentioned OP is my wishing that both these teams never moved into a dome thus making the 'black and blue' division all the more just that! Just imagine this upcoming showdown at that old, grizzled future-Mall of America site! Nighttime which would make it even MORE-so frozen tundra like! That Viking statue, both teams sharing the sidelines, Viking staff stealing the heaters from behind the Lions' benches, etc.

Darnold deserves the franchise tag, but if they are one and done in the playoffs, the team could let him walk--they did with Tarkenton(trade)Kapp and George, though Culpepper made sense--

What a season though, like I mentioned on the notes, thread. He could make fans forget about Cousins if he gets to the NFC Championship game. Some fans feel he will demand an extended contract but if gets the franchise tag, he will take it, unless he gets at least a divisional win in postseason.

The Lions have to be very smart against the Niners and rest certain players, though Campbell wants to keep building momentum. It should be a great game. Hopefully, Gampbell doesnt screw it up.

The Lions need to properly treat this game tonight at San Fran as a meaningless game and bench all starters! Save it all for this Sunday Night and if you win, get yet another rest! Forget 'revenge' from last year's NFCCG! That was last year and the Lions returning to the playoffs and San Fran not (and SF not winning the SB yet again last year) should be enough for now.

As much as I'd like to see Detroit win a Lombardi as long as not at the Burgh's expense, especially win one under Campbell, the anticipated Eagles/Lions NFCCG has become less appealing simply because Detroit's entire defense is essentially kaput. Vikings at least offer up that very D along with an, at least, complete-enough offense. If the Eagles are the better team, then the they having to go to MInny ought to shrink whatever gap there is between both. I really don't want to see any team, not even my own Steelers yet alone also-blue-collar Detroit (nor Buffalo as well), actually go all the way to a Super Bowl and win it with just offense! Even the '19 Chiefs had just enough of a D.

Thankfully, taking his pedal off the gas ain't the way Campbell rolls. Buddy Parker was the same way---play every game to the hilt, play your regulars, play to win, even exhibitions. (I think Buddy's preseason record was something like 31-5 with the Lions.) As if there was any doubt about his philosophy, the title of Parker's book was We Play to Win!) I fully expect the Lions to take it to the 49ers tonite, though I'm sure they'll keep some surprises in the closet for next week's showdown with the Vikes. Certainly the Lions want to exact some kind of payback. It would mean no longer replaying last year's championship game collapse over and over (IIRC Campbell made the team watch film of the game more than once during camp).

Looking for a good game---lots of points, plenty of energy. Got the Labatts and Cheetos on standby....

[74_75_78_79_]

What I should have mentioned OP is my wishing that both these teams never moved into a dome thus making the 'black and blue' division all the more just that! Just imagine this upcoming showdown at that old, grizzled future-Mall of America site! Nighttime which would make it even MORE-so frozen tundra like! That Viking statue, both teams sharing the sidelines, Viking staff stealing the heaters from behind the Lions' benches, etc.

My mistake! I thought the game was in Minny this coming Sunday Night! Well, then imagine it at frigid Tiger Stadium instead. If Vikings win, and they meet again in the playoffs, then yes that original description.

[Ten Minute Ticker]

As a Packers fan, I don’t like either of them! You’re right, though, they haven’t had many meaningful battles either in terms of games or divisional battles.

In fact, the Lions have had very few impactful games against any of the NFC North teams thanks to their ineptitude/mediocrity. Packers played the Lions two years in a row in the playoffs in 1993-94, and as mentioned, there have been no Lions-Vikings playoff games. I don’t recall any Lions-Bears playoff games either. Weird.

[RichardBak]

W/o looking up the exact records, I remember that brief period under HC Joe Schmidt when the Lions actually were competitive but the Vikings were always in the way. Never could seem to beat them.

Well, if the last month or so is a guide, Sunday nite's game should be another shootout. I don't see how Detroit can win a Super Bowl trying to outscore the top teams by scores of 45-42 and 48-45 though it sure would be fun to watch.

[sluggermatt15]

As a Packers fan, I don’t like either of them! You’re right, though, they haven’t had many meaningful battles either in terms of games or divisional battles.

In fact, the Lions have had very few impactful games against any of the NFC North teams thanks to their ineptitude/mediocrity. Packers played the Lions two years in a row in the playoffs in 1993-94, and as mentioned, there have been no Lions-Vikings playoff games. I don’t recall any Lions-Bears playoff games either. Weird.

The Detroit franchise played the Bears in the 1932 NFL Playoff Game. Bears won, 9-0, inside Chicago Stadium, under odd, abnormal field conditions. A lot of controversy in that one!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1932_NFL_Playoff_Game

[RichardBak]

Well, technically, they were the Portsmouth Spartans up through the '33 season. But you're right---a crazy, controversial game. Many years ago I interviewed a few of the early Spartans/Lions. They mentioned elephant shit left over from the recent circus.