Play clock down to one. Golf wants the snap, hands it to Gibbs outside right, He's got the first down.

Play clock down to one. Golf wants the snap, hands it to Gibbs outside right, He's got the first down.

In More twenty five, twenty fifteen, ten five, and so touchdown Detroit, Lyons.

In More twenty five, twenty fifteen, ten five, and so touchdown Detroit, Lyons.

Welcome to Week eighteen of the NFL season.

Welcome to Week eighteen of the NFL season.

I am Tim Twentyman. This is the twenty in the.

I am Tim Twentyman. This is the twenty in the.

Huddle podcast, and boy, what a week eighteen. The NFL has the store for us. Game two seventy two means a ton and uh. The guy joining me right now is gonna be the voice of that game. Mike Turrico does a great job play by play for NBC. He is one of the best in the business. Mike, thanks so much for taking the time. I appreciate it.

Huddle podcast, and boy, what a week eighteen. The NFL has the store for us. Game two seventy two means a ton and uh. The guy joining me right now is gonna be the voice of that game. Mike Turrico does a great job play by play for NBC. He is one of the best in the business. Mike, thanks so much for taking the time. I appreciate it.

Happy New Year, Chim. Great to be with you and looking forward to Sunday night and downtown Detroit for sure.

Happy New Year, Chim. Great to be with you and looking forward to Sunday night and downtown Detroit for sure.

Boy, the scheduling gods look down on the NFL with a huge smile for two seventy two for this one, did they?

Boy, the scheduling gods look down on the NFL with a huge smile for two seventy two for this one, did they?

Mike?

Mike?

How much are you looking forward to to Sunday Night in Detroit two fourteen and two teams going for the division title, going for the number one seed. I mean, the stakes can't be any bigger.

How much are you looking forward to to Sunday Night in Detroit two fourteen and two teams going for the division title, going for the number one seed. I mean, the stakes can't be any bigger.

You try not to rooting interesting games, but we were watching the Minnesota Green Bay game with a great keen interest to see what was going to happen. And it's great that it played out this way. To have this as the standalone game with so much on the line, We've never looked down at a field in a regular season game and seen two fourteen win teams playing against each other. So in the one hundred plus years in the NFL, we've never had a game with two teams that have won this much in the same season, meeting in the regular season and with so much on the line.

You try not to rooting interesting games, but we were watching the Minnesota Green Bay game with a great keen interest to see what was going to happen. And it's great that it played out this way. To have this as the standalone game with so much on the line, We've never looked down at a field in a regular season game and seen two fourteen win teams playing against each other. So in the one hundred plus years in the NFL, we've never had a game with two teams that have won this much in the same season, meeting in the regular season and with so much on the line.

You know, Tim, I'll.

You know, Tim, I'll.

Put this out there upfront. Both of these teams can get to the Super Bowl from the five seed. They have proven they can go on the road and win. Obviously, the Lions have not lost on the road this year and Minnesota's only lost once on the road. That was on a Thursday night in LA where they lost their left tackle, so in the middle of the game and right before halftime. So both of these teams, whoever emerges as the one seed gets the buy gets the rest, gets the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC through their place, But the other team is not out of it by any stretch of the imagination. So win, big win, yeah, of course. But the other path, while harder, is doable, I think on both sides of the field.

Put this out there upfront. Both of these teams can get to the Super Bowl from the five seed. They have proven they can go on the road and win. Obviously, the Lions have not lost on the road this year and Minnesota's only lost once on the road. That was on a Thursday night in LA where they lost their left tackle, so in the middle of the game and right before halftime. So both of these teams, whoever emerges as the one seed gets the buy gets the rest, gets the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC through their place, But the other team is not out of it by any stretch of the imagination. So win, big win, yeah, of course. But the other path, while harder, is doable, I think on both sides of the field.

And also a scenario where maybe in that second round we see a third matchup between these two teams, very likely scenario two, which would be huge. Mike, you were at that wildcard playoff game Rams Lions last year. You saw what that atmosphere was like, people in the stands, forty five minutes, the Jared Goff chance, just the electricity in that building. I expect it to rival that with what's on the line Sunday. Just how much are you looking forward to being in Ford Field, being in that kind of environment for calling a football game.

And also a scenario where maybe in that second round we see a third matchup between these two teams, very likely scenario two, which would be huge. Mike, you were at that wildcard playoff game Rams Lions last year. You saw what that atmosphere was like, people in the stands, forty five minutes, the Jared Goff chance, just the electricity in that building. I expect it to rival that with what's on the line Sunday. Just how much are you looking forward to being in Ford Field, being in that kind of environment for calling a football game.

You're right, Tim, you know, I think the regular season game, even let's go back to the Tampa game of the divisional game. We're lucky enough to be there for that as well. It was a tremendous atmosphere, but it wasn't the same as that first game, that wildcard game against the Rams. That'll be in my top five all time forever. Given in an atmosphere for a game, and I think so many things built into it. Won the run to the Packers playing earlier and beating the Cowboys, and all the fans remember all the feelings about Dallas after what happened with Dan Skipper and reporting and not reporting, and because it was cold, so many people in the building watching, and it just built the atmosphere and the energy the stafford returned. I don't think you could replicate all of those things except maybe for an NFC championship game. So even though the atmosphere for the Tampa Bay Divisional game then the opener that we were there for against the Rams this year on Sunday Night Football, it wasn't the same as what we saw for the wildcard game. I think you make a great observation it'll be that kind of energy and passion. So I think the fans are wise. These two teams have great fan bases, and these fans understand that because of the injuries and because of the way the Lions have played at home over the last couple of years, it's a huge advantage to have off Week two playoff games at home to try to get to the Super Bowl. Like I said before, they've won every game on the road this year, but you'd much prefer the week off. I think with this team just a chance to get healthy.

You're right, Tim, you know, I think the regular season game, even let's go back to the Tampa game of the divisional game. We're lucky enough to be there for that as well. It was a tremendous atmosphere, but it wasn't the same as that first game, that wildcard game against the Rams. That'll be in my top five all time forever. Given in an atmosphere for a game, and I think so many things built into it. Won the run to the Packers playing earlier and beating the Cowboys, and all the fans remember all the feelings about Dallas after what happened with Dan Skipper and reporting and not reporting, and because it was cold, so many people in the building watching, and it just built the atmosphere and the energy the stafford returned. I don't think you could replicate all of those things except maybe for an NFC championship game. So even though the atmosphere for the Tampa Bay Divisional game then the opener that we were there for against the Rams this year on Sunday Night Football, it wasn't the same as what we saw for the wildcard game. I think you make a great observation it'll be that kind of energy and passion. So I think the fans are wise. These two teams have great fan bases, and these fans understand that because of the injuries and because of the way the Lions have played at home over the last couple of years, it's a huge advantage to have off Week two playoff games at home to try to get to the Super Bowl. Like I said before, they've won every game on the road this year, but you'd much prefer the week off. I think with this team just a chance to get healthy.

Yeah, and Mike, you've covered games at US Bank Stadium. To the atmosphere there is one of the best in the NFL too, with the snow and the skull and the horn. Lions fans have I think nightmares of that horn going off so many times. But those are two you know, like you said, they're two great fan bases, and going into those buildings and having to win a playoff game, it is going to be really, really tough. So it's huge in that regard for Minnesota getting it too, because that's a tough place to pay play US Bank Mike, is it almost criminal in the sense that a fourteen win team is going to have to go on the road in the playoffs? Look, you talked about it. Both of them can get to the super Bowl, they can win on the road, But is it a little bit criminal? I like the fact that that you win your division, you get a home game. The NFL's had that policy for a long time, but should they you think it with this situation? Does it get talked about it all or is it not even part of the conversation?

Yeah, and Mike, you've covered games at US Bank Stadium. To the atmosphere there is one of the best in the NFL too, with the snow and the skull and the horn. Lions fans have I think nightmares of that horn going off so many times. But those are two you know, like you said, they're two great fan bases, and going into those buildings and having to win a playoff game, it is going to be really, really tough. So it's huge in that regard for Minnesota getting it too, because that's a tough place to pay play US Bank Mike, is it almost criminal in the sense that a fourteen win team is going to have to go on the road in the playoffs? Look, you talked about it. Both of them can get to the super Bowl, they can win on the road, But is it a little bit criminal? I like the fact that that you win your division, you get a home game. The NFL's had that policy for a long time, but should they you think it with this situation? Does it get talked about it all or is it not even part of the conversation?

One thousand percent. I'm with you, Tim, If you made me commissioner or in charge of the rules committee for five minutes. There were three things I would do. Number One, it's when the play clock hits double zero. It's delay a game stop with this. It's double zero, and the back judge looks to see if the ball is gone because you get forty one seconds to run a play. Why is that such a big deal. This is the league where we stop games to microscopically see if somebody's toe is in bounced, and we get almost everything in front of us with information right, so there's no reason.

One thousand percent. I'm with you, Tim, If you made me commissioner or in charge of the rules committee for five minutes. There were three things I would do. Number One, it's when the play clock hits double zero. It's delay a game stop with this. It's double zero, and the back judge looks to see if the ball is gone because you get forty one seconds to run a play. Why is that such a big deal. This is the league where we stop games to microscopically see if somebody's toe is in bounced, and we get almost everything in front of us with information right, so there's no reason.

At double zero.

At double zero.

Much like the NBA backboard lights up so you can see it while you're still watching the play, the crossbar should should have an led set of lights and it lights up when the play clock hits zero. And that's it, and the ball's not gone, it's no play. It's your penalty boom. Number one. Number two, both teams get the ball in overtime. We've seen too many games this year. Again, the game we just had on Sunday night, Washington wins, the Toscoes down the field scores, game's over. You know, Michael Pennick Junior never gets a chance to get on the field with Atlanta and they are four top ten draft picks. It doesn't make any sense. We do everything to be equitable. I know the defense is part of the store, but so two is the offense. I think that's completely unfair. And the third one is what you just referenced. If there's a difference of more than three games in the standings, I think the wildcard team should get to host that playoff game. I'm not saying it because of this year. I've said that for the last couple of years. It's imbalance. To me. If you are a squeaking nine and eight team, you should not have home field advantage over a team that was five games better than you in the regular season. I think it adds more to the regular season. There's more to play for as you go through. That could be an interesting factor to add it is, Hey, here's Team X. They have to win in Week eighteen to make sure that they stay three games ahead of the wildcard team so they can have home field advantage. With you. Divisions, I love to honor them because divisions go up and down cyclically. I think it keeps the regional excitement in. It makes the playoffs more exciting. It's tradition of the league. I like all of that, but I'm with you, I would love to see that last part of a change.

Much like the NBA backboard lights up so you can see it while you're still watching the play, the crossbar should should have an led set of lights and it lights up when the play clock hits zero. And that's it, and the ball's not gone, it's no play. It's your penalty boom. Number one. Number two, both teams get the ball in overtime. We've seen too many games this year. Again, the game we just had on Sunday night, Washington wins, the Toscoes down the field scores, game's over. You know, Michael Pennick Junior never gets a chance to get on the field with Atlanta and they are four top ten draft picks. It doesn't make any sense. We do everything to be equitable. I know the defense is part of the store, but so two is the offense. I think that's completely unfair. And the third one is what you just referenced. If there's a difference of more than three games in the standings, I think the wildcard team should get to host that playoff game. I'm not saying it because of this year. I've said that for the last couple of years. It's imbalance. To me. If you are a squeaking nine and eight team, you should not have home field advantage over a team that was five games better than you in the regular season. I think it adds more to the regular season. There's more to play for as you go through. That could be an interesting factor to add it is, Hey, here's Team X. They have to win in Week eighteen to make sure that they stay three games ahead of the wildcard team so they can have home field advantage. With you. Divisions, I love to honor them because divisions go up and down cyclically. I think it keeps the regional excitement in. It makes the playoffs more exciting. It's tradition of the league. I like all of that, but I'm with you, I would love to see that last part of a change.

Two teams that have fourteen wins. You don't do that without having a great culture, Mike, and obviously with what Dan Campbell has built here in Detroit, but Kevin O'Connell too in Minnesota. You see some of the storylines, You see how that team has embraced Sam Darnold and some of the comeback stories that they have on that team. Why do you think Dan Campbell and Kevin O'Connell are perfect fits? I know you've talked to both guys pretty extensively. Why are both those guys perfect fits for the situation that they're in.

Two teams that have fourteen wins. You don't do that without having a great culture, Mike, and obviously with what Dan Campbell has built here in Detroit, but Kevin O'Connell too in Minnesota. You see some of the storylines, You see how that team has embraced Sam Darnold and some of the comeback stories that they have on that team. Why do you think Dan Campbell and Kevin O'Connell are perfect fits? I know you've talked to both guys pretty extensively. Why are both those guys perfect fits for the situation that they're in.

I'm a massive Kevin O'Connell fan. You know, the people who are consuming this are largely from the Detroit side of rooting for teams, So I don't tell you a word about Dan Campbell. But Kevin's got that in a different way in his own way. Kevin's a former player. I think that's the common Both are former players who were not superstar players and who understand and have seen things from a player and an assistant coach perspective. That they would have done differently. They understand how to tap into their guys. With Kevin, it's been a lot OF's quarterbacks Alava offense, but they really know how to tap it and how to lead their group strong enough to have guys like Brian Flores Aaron Glenn lead their defenses, kind of do their thing, strong special teams, great support on the same page with the general managers. I think on both sides you could be looking at a game that could tilt the vote for Executive of the Year Coach of the year, because if you look at both sides, at Brad Holmes and Questi in minnesota's done an amazing job, and with Dan and Koc in Minnesota, both have done an amazing job this year fifteen and two number one seed these teams, it's hard to say the other guy deserves Coach of the Year or Executive the Year over the other. And there are other great candidates around the league too, But I think it might come down to that on Sunday Night's results. But I think the common thread is what you mentioned in the question. The culture that they have built go to both teams, the players, the locker room. There's a great energy and I'll tell you Tim, that's happening a lot around the NFL Atlanta and Washington. Having seen them last Sunday, very similar things. They're building a good thing based on the culture that their coaches, Dan Quinn or Raheem Mars are setting. And that's why I think maybe the most significant hire coming up in this hiring season is the Bears hire here in the NFC North because look at the culture in Detroit with Dan Campbell, Minnesota with Kevin O'Connell, and obviously Green Bay with Matt Lafour. You got three teams that are rolling, that are playoff teams that really built a good franchise foundation, and Chicago's got a quarterback to build around that is going to be such a difficult Ye's such an important hire just because you look everywhere surrounding you in your division and they've got it. They've got the people, the place, and the culture built largely because of that head coaching.

I'm a massive Kevin O'Connell fan. You know, the people who are consuming this are largely from the Detroit side of rooting for teams, So I don't tell you a word about Dan Campbell. But Kevin's got that in a different way in his own way. Kevin's a former player. I think that's the common Both are former players who were not superstar players and who understand and have seen things from a player and an assistant coach perspective. That they would have done differently. They understand how to tap into their guys. With Kevin, it's been a lot OF's quarterbacks Alava offense, but they really know how to tap it and how to lead their group strong enough to have guys like Brian Flores Aaron Glenn lead their defenses, kind of do their thing, strong special teams, great support on the same page with the general managers. I think on both sides you could be looking at a game that could tilt the vote for Executive of the Year Coach of the year, because if you look at both sides, at Brad Holmes and Questi in minnesota's done an amazing job, and with Dan and Koc in Minnesota, both have done an amazing job this year fifteen and two number one seed these teams, it's hard to say the other guy deserves Coach of the Year or Executive the Year over the other. And there are other great candidates around the league too, But I think it might come down to that on Sunday Night's results. But I think the common thread is what you mentioned in the question. The culture that they have built go to both teams, the players, the locker room. There's a great energy and I'll tell you Tim, that's happening a lot around the NFL Atlanta and Washington. Having seen them last Sunday, very similar things. They're building a good thing based on the culture that their coaches, Dan Quinn or Raheem Mars are setting. And that's why I think maybe the most significant hire coming up in this hiring season is the Bears hire here in the NFC North because look at the culture in Detroit with Dan Campbell, Minnesota with Kevin O'Connell, and obviously Green Bay with Matt Lafour. You got three teams that are rolling, that are playoff teams that really built a good franchise foundation, and Chicago's got a quarterback to build around that is going to be such a difficult Ye's such an important hire just because you look everywhere surrounding you in your division and they've got it. They've got the people, the place, and the culture built largely because of that head coaching.

Higher.

Higher.

Boy, the NFC is going to be just a gauntlet for years to come. You look at the rosters too, right, young guys, lots of young talent. You see those lists every year that the top guys twenty five and under I mean Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit. Litter that in Chicago's gonna do with with now Caleb and some of the young guys that they're bringing in it, it should be fun. I want to ask you, Mike, what's the matchup you're most looking forward to? I want you to put your analyst hat on a little bit here for Sunday Night. You know, Minnesota's done some really good things defensively number two against the run, the takeaways. Obviously, Detroit's offense is fun and dynamic and Ben Jonson's pulling all those strings. What's the matchup you're most looking forward to Sunday night?

Boy, the NFC is going to be just a gauntlet for years to come. You look at the rosters too, right, young guys, lots of young talent. You see those lists every year that the top guys twenty five and under I mean Minnesota, Green Bay and Detroit. Litter that in Chicago's gonna do with with now Caleb and some of the young guys that they're bringing in it, it should be fun. I want to ask you, Mike, what's the matchup you're most looking forward to? I want you to put your analyst hat on a little bit here for Sunday Night. You know, Minnesota's done some really good things defensively number two against the run, the takeaways. Obviously, Detroit's offense is fun and dynamic and Ben Jonson's pulling all those strings. What's the matchup you're most looking forward to Sunday night?

One hundred of them. I can't steal their thunder my partner Collinsworth, but if you ask me for one, it is just that Detroit's offense against the Minnesota defense.

One hundred of them. I can't steal their thunder my partner Collinsworth, but if you ask me for one, it is just that Detroit's offense against the Minnesota defense.

How does.

How does.

The Lions offense handle the pressure that Brian Flores brings? Right, that's the calling guard from Minnesota, right there at the top of the list in terms of percentage of Blitz's per defensive snap in the NFL. And the Lions can be so lethal if they have the right answer and it's out on time. Obviously, Jared Goff has many, many talents in what has been another terrific season. One is not running around to make a play like Jaden Daniels, who we saw last Sunday night in Washington, or certainly Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. That's not what golf does. But he does a lot of things great. One of the things he does great is read it, see it, diagnose and get it to the right guy to beat your blitz, to kind of keep that temperature down on the blitz pressure. You know, Brian Flores is gonna bring it. He has all year and the ability of scheme wise with the answers in Ben Johnson's plan and Jared Goff with his incredible acumen mentally and physically to see it, know it, I diagnose it and get it out. We saw the pressure on golf was hard. He struggled again in Minnesota. He struggled against some of that pressure when they got there. But when he found the answers in the second half, they went up and down the field. So to me, if you had to boiled that to one thing that's gonna flip the game, it would be that because if you look at it from twenty thousand feet because of all the injuries on defense, the Lions have to score a bunch of points to win the game, you know, likely, right, So if that's the case, then you've got to find a way and you can't give them easy points. Remember early in that first game, the go for it inside the on forty That turned around to quick points and just like that, Minnesota was up ten nothing. Look if they were gonna run away with that game, but it flipped as Detroit got the answers to the pressure.

The Lions offense handle the pressure that Brian Flores brings? Right, that's the calling guard from Minnesota, right there at the top of the list in terms of percentage of Blitz's per defensive snap in the NFL. And the Lions can be so lethal if they have the right answer and it's out on time. Obviously, Jared Goff has many, many talents in what has been another terrific season. One is not running around to make a play like Jaden Daniels, who we saw last Sunday night in Washington, or certainly Lamar Jackson in Baltimore. That's not what golf does. But he does a lot of things great. One of the things he does great is read it, see it, diagnose and get it to the right guy to beat your blitz, to kind of keep that temperature down on the blitz pressure. You know, Brian Flores is gonna bring it. He has all year and the ability of scheme wise with the answers in Ben Johnson's plan and Jared Goff with his incredible acumen mentally and physically to see it, know it, I diagnose it and get it out. We saw the pressure on golf was hard. He struggled again in Minnesota. He struggled against some of that pressure when they got there. But when he found the answers in the second half, they went up and down the field. So to me, if you had to boiled that to one thing that's gonna flip the game, it would be that because if you look at it from twenty thousand feet because of all the injuries on defense, the Lions have to score a bunch of points to win the game, you know, likely, right, So if that's the case, then you've got to find a way and you can't give them easy points. Remember early in that first game, the go for it inside the on forty That turned around to quick points and just like that, Minnesota was up ten nothing. Look if they were gonna run away with that game, but it flipped as Detroit got the answers to the pressure.

So to me, that's the whole game.

So to me, that's the whole game.

Yeah, and that fumble late by David Montgomery kind of changed things to Minnesota's really good, tied for first in league. Thirty one takeaways, Jared Golf's gotta play clean football again. Speak with Mike Arico play by play for Embassy does a great job. He's gonna be on the broadcast on it. And I might just just one more quick Furia. You talked about Jared Goff, you talked about Sam Darnold a little bit. You know, two guys that obviously are are terrific stories for their respective teams. How much do you love their story?

Yeah, and that fumble late by David Montgomery kind of changed things to Minnesota's really good, tied for first in league. Thirty one takeaways, Jared Golf's gotta play clean football again. Speak with Mike Arico play by play for Embassy does a great job. He's gonna be on the broadcast on it. And I might just just one more quick Furia. You talked about Jared Goff, you talked about Sam Darnold a little bit. You know, two guys that obviously are are terrific stories for their respective teams. How much do you love their story?

Right?

Right?

Everybody loves a great comeback story, right, and those two guys I think are a great example of it. How much fun is it going to be to watch that matchup? What do you expect from those two guys Sunday night.

Everybody loves a great comeback story, right, and those two guys I think are a great example of it. How much fun is it going to be to watch that matchup? What do you expect from those two guys Sunday night.

Yeah, there's great joy. I think anytime in sports and watching somebody who was told you know what, we're gonna move on to somebody else, and then they turn out to thrive. And that's happened in both cases Sam multiple places and Jared of course with the Rams, he took them to a super Bowl, so it's not like he didn't have success there. But I think it is a reminder that too often, you know, the morning sports conversation on TV is usually hyperbole and this guy is terrible, this guy stanks, this guy can't play, and that whole culture. We have to remember that people grow and people get better, Right, Caleb Williams in Chicago is going to get better in all likelihood in the next year or two. And very often we turn the page too quickly, especially at the quarterback position. Look at Bryce Shunn, right, that was like, okay, great, they made a terrible mistake in the draft. He's not going to be No, he's turned out to be a much better quarterback. Here. The back end of this season, the Panthers go into next year I think feeling like we have a quarterback we can continue to invest and build around. That's the difference in these guys. These two players were moved on from from the initial organization that took them with very high draft capital picks one to three overall. That's because they had really good talent. They were studied hard going into that draft, and they've just found the right place. Jared Goff found that offensive line, the skill position players, and man when he is going as we saw the Seattle game, so many games this year, very few incompletions. That's a guy who you can build a franchise around. If you build it to those specs, you're not going to build it the same blueprint as Baltimore, the same blueprint elsewhere.

Yeah, there's great joy. I think anytime in sports and watching somebody who was told you know what, we're gonna move on to somebody else, and then they turn out to thrive. And that's happened in both cases Sam multiple places and Jared of course with the Rams, he took them to a super Bowl, so it's not like he didn't have success there. But I think it is a reminder that too often, you know, the morning sports conversation on TV is usually hyperbole and this guy is terrible, this guy stanks, this guy can't play, and that whole culture. We have to remember that people grow and people get better, Right, Caleb Williams in Chicago is going to get better in all likelihood in the next year or two. And very often we turn the page too quickly, especially at the quarterback position. Look at Bryce Shunn, right, that was like, okay, great, they made a terrible mistake in the draft. He's not going to be No, he's turned out to be a much better quarterback. Here. The back end of this season, the Panthers go into next year I think feeling like we have a quarterback we can continue to invest and build around. That's the difference in these guys. These two players were moved on from from the initial organization that took them with very high draft capital picks one to three overall. That's because they had really good talent. They were studied hard going into that draft, and they've just found the right place. Jared Goff found that offensive line, the skill position players, and man when he is going as we saw the Seattle game, so many games this year, very few incompletions. That's a guy who you can build a franchise around. If you build it to those specs, you're not going to build it the same blueprint as Baltimore, the same blueprint elsewhere.

And for Sam, I.

And for Sam, I.

Really point to Kevin O'Connell and his ability to get quarterbacks and get the most out of them. And it's an interesting dilemmatin what does Minnesota do if they go fifteen and two get to the NFC Championship Game. We all in the Michigan area know about JJ McCarthy. I can tell you from being there in the middle of the season We saw them right before the Lions Houston game when Minnesota played Indianapolis. They love JJ McCarthy. They're all excited about that, and the thought was Sam Donald's gonna move on somewhere else. Maybe a very different story if Donald takes this another two or three lengths of the race. So both guys have positioned themselves to have great chapter twos in their career. It's almost hard to remember Jared Goff with the Rams, after all we've seen with him with the Lions and Donald. Maybe the next chapter is Minnesota, maybe it's another team. It proves in both cases surround the right talent with the right pace people, offensive line, skill players, offensive system, not a crazy side show of everything that happens becomes this headline that he's the worst guy.

Really point to Kevin O'Connell and his ability to get quarterbacks and get the most out of them. And it's an interesting dilemmatin what does Minnesota do if they go fifteen and two get to the NFC Championship Game. We all in the Michigan area know about JJ McCarthy. I can tell you from being there in the middle of the season We saw them right before the Lions Houston game when Minnesota played Indianapolis. They love JJ McCarthy. They're all excited about that, and the thought was Sam Donald's gonna move on somewhere else. Maybe a very different story if Donald takes this another two or three lengths of the race. So both guys have positioned themselves to have great chapter twos in their career. It's almost hard to remember Jared Goff with the Rams, after all we've seen with him with the Lions and Donald. Maybe the next chapter is Minnesota, maybe it's another team. It proves in both cases surround the right talent with the right pace people, offensive line, skill players, offensive system, not a crazy side show of everything that happens becomes this headline that he's the worst guy.

In the league.

In the league.

And you find that the talent usually comes back around years three, four five as they grow and mature. So for both of those guys, it's fun to watch them have a moment. It's interesting. Do they belong in the MVP conversation? Yes, the MVP conversation so dominated by Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen Barkley. If he gets the record, or even if not, with two thousand rushing yard season. But these guys certainly belong someplace on ballots when people fill them out this weekend.

And you find that the talent usually comes back around years three, four five as they grow and mature. So for both of those guys, it's fun to watch them have a moment. It's interesting. Do they belong in the MVP conversation? Yes, the MVP conversation so dominated by Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen Barkley. If he gets the record, or even if not, with two thousand rushing yard season. But these guys certainly belong someplace on ballots when people fill them out this weekend.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think you make a great point there, Mike. The biggest relationship in any organization right is the GM and the head coach. Right have a GM that can identify talent in both Brad Holmes and the GM over in Minnesota, they've done a great job of doing that, and then have a head coach and a coaching staff that can develop it. And you see what happens. When you've got that great kind of symbiotic relationship, you can win a lot of football games. I can't wait till Sunday night.

I think you make a great point there, Mike. The biggest relationship in any organization right is the GM and the head coach. Right have a GM that can identify talent in both Brad Holmes and the GM over in Minnesota, they've done a great job of doing that, and then have a head coach and a coaching staff that can develop it. And you see what happens. When you've got that great kind of symbiotic relationship, you can win a lot of football games. I can't wait till Sunday night.

Yeah, it was just to say. I think of it as a box. If you have the owner, the general manager, the head coach, and the quarterback. If you have those four parts of the box, now you can build inside and build something great. When one of those pieces doesn't align, you've got scattered organization. But when the owner tells the GM, I got you financially to support you, and the GM and the head coach are picking players the same way, and now you pick the quarterback who can make it all move. When you have that box, you got a chance to build it. And you look at this Detroit team from the top down, Sheila rod Woods president obviously of course, and everything that the front office and Mike and the guys do. Mike is the COO, but Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell, Jared Goff think about how everything on this team feeds off of that box. And that to me, if you look at a spine for success in the NFL, that's where it is. Go through all these playoff teams. Your point's perfect. They've got that alignment, They've got a chance, and these two are gonna give us a hell of a night Sunday Night, we.

Yeah, it was just to say. I think of it as a box. If you have the owner, the general manager, the head coach, and the quarterback. If you have those four parts of the box, now you can build inside and build something great. When one of those pieces doesn't align, you've got scattered organization. But when the owner tells the GM, I got you financially to support you, and the GM and the head coach are picking players the same way, and now you pick the quarterback who can make it all move. When you have that box, you got a chance to build it. And you look at this Detroit team from the top down, Sheila rod Woods president obviously of course, and everything that the front office and Mike and the guys do. Mike is the COO, but Brad Holmes, Dan Campbell, Jared Goff think about how everything on this team feeds off of that box. And that to me, if you look at a spine for success in the NFL, that's where it is. Go through all these playoff teams. Your point's perfect. They've got that alignment, They've got a chance, and these two are gonna give us a hell of a night Sunday Night, we.

Hope, and you can be good for a long time. Mike, and I think that's the thing that's exciting for Lions fans is they look at this and they're like, this isn't just a flash in the pan. Like they've got good young players. It's built from the top, They got support from the ownership. They can be good for a long long time. That's the fun part. You live in an arbor, you know how crazy these Lions fans are, how fun this last two years have been. But boys, Sunday Night is going to be something, something special.

Hope, and you can be good for a long time. Mike, and I think that's the thing that's exciting for Lions fans is they look at this and they're like, this isn't just a flash in the pan. Like they've got good young players. It's built from the top, They got support from the ownership. They can be good for a long long time. That's the fun part. You live in an arbor, you know how crazy these Lions fans are, how fun this last two years have been. But boys, Sunday Night is going to be something, something special.

Too.

Too.

We all are going to be listening to you for sure. I think the atmosphere is going to be great there. I have a great broadcast and enjoy the game, and we'll see what happens into the playoffs. But Sunday is certainly going to be fun for everybody.

We all are going to be listening to you for sure. I think the atmosphere is going to be great there. I have a great broadcast and enjoy the game, and we'll see what happens into the playoffs. But Sunday is certainly going to be fun for everybody.

The Alliance has giving us some good Sunday nights, and really this whole run of the Lions at this level starting Game two seventy two, two years ago in Green Bay, when they went on that stage and ended the Aaron Rodgers you were in Lambeau and kept the Packers out of the playoffs. And it's been thirty three wonderful games for Lions fans since that point. And so we'll look forward to Game two seventy two for the second time in three years, and great being with you and looking forward to seeing everybody downtown Sunday night.

The Alliance has giving us some good Sunday nights, and really this whole run of the Lions at this level starting Game two seventy two, two years ago in Green Bay, when they went on that stage and ended the Aaron Rodgers you were in Lambeau and kept the Packers out of the playoffs. And it's been thirty three wonderful games for Lions fans since that point. And so we'll look forward to Game two seventy two for the second time in three years, and great being with you and looking forward to seeing everybody downtown Sunday night.

All Right, Mike, A good one, Thanks.

All Right, Mike, A good one, Thanks.

Tivy too, Take care, Happy new year.

Tivy too, Take care, Happy new year.

Welcome back to be twenty in the Huddle Podcast, everybody, the Mike linebacker for the Detroit Lions, Jack Campbell, Jack, thanks for joining me.

Welcome back to be twenty in the Huddle Podcast, everybody, the Mike linebacker for the Detroit Lions, Jack Campbell, Jack, thanks for joining me.

Appreciate it, No, I appreciate you having me ay game Sunday hunh.

Appreciate it, No, I appreciate you having me ay game Sunday hunh.

I know it's gonna be It's gonna be absolutely insane.

I know it's gonna be It's gonna be absolutely insane.

I mean you've had some experienced this with with the playoffs last year obviously that build that excitement. Does this have kind of that same feel to it, just with the magnitude of the game but at home, to the atmosphere everything else.

I mean you've had some experienced this with with the playoffs last year obviously that build that excitement. Does this have kind of that same feel to it, just with the magnitude of the game but at home, to the atmosphere everything else.

Yeah, no doubt.

Yeah, no doubt.

I mean, you know how Detroit loves their football, so the fans are gonna be absolutely nuts. Third down, I'm gonna barely be hearing the calls, So it's gonna be awesome.

I mean, you know how Detroit loves their football, so the fans are gonna be absolutely nuts. Third down, I'm gonna barely be hearing the calls, So it's gonna be awesome.

But uh, I'm excited.

But uh, I'm excited.

But going back to your question, yeah, like it's pretty much a playoff game, so it's gonna be fun.

But going back to your question, yeah, like it's pretty much a playoff game, so it's gonna be fun.

That's something I wanted to touch on with the calls and could you control the greed dot?

That's something I wanted to touch on with the calls and could you control the greed dot?

And I've always been curious about this.

And I've always been curious about this.

I know Jarr's talked about it before, but having a guy kind of in your in your head, you know, talking to you and stuff, how just the dynamic of that it sometimes like is Aaron like talking to you about the play previous sometimes and then giving you the call or.

I know Jarr's talked about it before, but having a guy kind of in your in your head, you know, talking to you and stuff, how just the dynamic of that it sometimes like is Aaron like talking to you about the play previous sometimes and then giving you the call or.

Like what's his style there? We just stay right to.

Like what's his style there? We just stay right to.

Yeah, we always just stay right on the call. Okay, like just let this guy know this, like alert this guy. Just quick stuff. But we never talk about past plays, so it's it was just moving on to the next one.

Yeah, we always just stay right on the call. Okay, like just let this guy know this, like alert this guy. Just quick stuff. But we never talk about past plays, so it's it was just moving on to the next one.

So does that take a little getting used to having somebody in your head and then you trying to relate to them.

So does that take a little getting used to having somebody in your head and then you trying to relate to them.

I know it shuts off like fifteen seconds.

I know it shuts off like fifteen seconds.

Right, Yeah, no, especially coming from college. At the time, I didn't have that, so it was all like signals. So now that we're like I'm here and I have a headset in my head, Yeah, it's a little different, but once you get used to it, it's not bad.

Right, Yeah, no, especially coming from college. At the time, I didn't have that, so it was all like signals. So now that we're like I'm here and I have a headset in my head, Yeah, it's a little different, but once you get used to it, it's not bad.

So go ahead.

So go ahead.

I was just gonna say, the only thing that gets taking us to is like yelling and screaming and trying to move at the same time.

I was just gonna say, the only thing that gets taking us to is like yelling and screaming and trying to move at the same time.

And that makes it harder at home in that atmosphere.

And that makes it harder at home in that atmosphere.

Has gotta be nuts, it's all.

Has gotta be nuts, it's all.

I'm sure you guys are gonna be able to take that.

I'm sure you guys are gonna be able to take that.

I want to say, congratulations be an alternate for the Yeah. That means that you're you know, you're among those kind of top interier guys.

I want to say, congratulations be an alternate for the Yeah. That means that you're you know, you're among those kind of top interier guys.

You value that.

You value that.

Do you like the recognition? Does it matter to you or not?

Do you like the recognition? Does it matter to you or not?

That kind of No, I mean I appreciate it. Yeah, uh, everyone has their own personal goals, like especially when they come in the NFL, and like me, growing up, like I honestly never would have thought I would be in the NFL, and and then like once I got to college, I started realizing maybe that I could do it, just like working towards that now that I'm here working towards my own like personal goals while I'm in the NFL. So yeah, no, I definitely appreciate it. But at the same time, it's just so much better being fourteen and two and having the opportunity to go to the playoffs and have opportunity to chase the Super Bowl. So honestly, my main focus is just doing anything I can to make the defense play better. And if I got that recognition or not, like I'm just gonna put I'm just gonna be me playing this play the same way that I do and just keep trying to program guys.

That kind of No, I mean I appreciate it. Yeah, uh, everyone has their own personal goals, like especially when they come in the NFL, and like me, growing up, like I honestly never would have thought I would be in the NFL, and and then like once I got to college, I started realizing maybe that I could do it, just like working towards that now that I'm here working towards my own like personal goals while I'm in the NFL. So yeah, no, I definitely appreciate it. But at the same time, it's just so much better being fourteen and two and having the opportunity to go to the playoffs and have opportunity to chase the Super Bowl. So honestly, my main focus is just doing anything I can to make the defense play better. And if I got that recognition or not, like I'm just gonna put I'm just gonna be me playing this play the same way that I do and just keep trying to program guys.

You guys aren't playing on playing in it anyways. Right For something a little exactly, I want to ask you.

You guys aren't playing on playing in it anyways. Right For something a little exactly, I want to ask you.

About the job that that Calvin Sheppard and really Aaron have done too, I mean obviously, and the injuries have been a big storyline, and your room has been hit hard too, and you know, let's see hopefully it out comes back this week and you get that that that would be a big boost. But just the job that that Calvin's done. I mean, you've had, you know, different guys e Is, Egil Turner and and David and all these guys just jumping kwan come here and play, have to play this week.

About the job that that Calvin Sheppard and really Aaron have done too, I mean obviously, and the injuries have been a big storyline, and your room has been hit hard too, and you know, let's see hopefully it out comes back this week and you get that that that would be a big boost. But just the job that that Calvin's done. I mean, you've had, you know, different guys e Is, Egil Turner and and David and all these guys just jumping kwan come here and play, have to play this week.

Just the job that that they've done, kind of keeping this track, keep this thing.

Just the job that that they've done, kind of keeping this track, keep this thing.

I know, you moving, I know defensively, you guys probably haven't played as well as you hoped at times, but you've still managed to come up with big plays and big.

I know, you moving, I know defensively, you guys probably haven't played as well as you hoped at times, but you've still managed to come up with big plays and big.

Stops and kept this thing rolling.

Stops and kept this thing rolling.

Just the job that Kelvin's on and Aaron to a bigger extent, keeping this thing together.

Just the job that Kelvin's on and Aaron to a bigger extent, keeping this thing together.

Yeah.

Yeah.

No, it's a coach. Chef's just been been a fantastic coach, not only me, but just in the whole room, just keeping everyone together, finding the right guys. I don't know how that works, like bring guys in, Like who makes all those decisions. I would assume he has a little bit to say, like what type of player he wants, But just fantastic job bringing in the right guys. But then for coach chef just like constantly just like letting everyone know, like the standards of the standards and just holding us to them every single day, and it starts to bleed into just players like holding new to players and standards, and I feel like, yeah, he's just been a He's just set the standards high, which as a player you appreciate because it's always pushing you to be better. And he has that good balance of just like no one want to push you and then no one wanted to just like pull back and just like appreciate you as a human being. So h hats off to like him. And I'm just super appreciative of him. And I'd say a G just as a whole, like just again getting the right guys in your system and then play call, like making the playbook easy enough for guys that are coming in and easy enough to learn that they can pick it up quick and just play kind of fast. And so hats off to AAG as well. I'm like, you know, like AG's just he's one of the kinds. Yeah, I'm just excited to just continue to get a play for him.

No, it's a coach. Chef's just been been a fantastic coach, not only me, but just in the whole room, just keeping everyone together, finding the right guys. I don't know how that works, like bring guys in, Like who makes all those decisions. I would assume he has a little bit to say, like what type of player he wants, But just fantastic job bringing in the right guys. But then for coach chef just like constantly just like letting everyone know, like the standards of the standards and just holding us to them every single day, and it starts to bleed into just players like holding new to players and standards, and I feel like, yeah, he's just been a He's just set the standards high, which as a player you appreciate because it's always pushing you to be better. And he has that good balance of just like no one want to push you and then no one wanted to just like pull back and just like appreciate you as a human being. So h hats off to like him. And I'm just super appreciative of him. And I'd say a G just as a whole, like just again getting the right guys in your system and then play call, like making the playbook easy enough for guys that are coming in and easy enough to learn that they can pick it up quick and just play kind of fast. And so hats off to AAG as well. I'm like, you know, like AG's just he's one of the kinds. Yeah, I'm just excited to just continue to get a play for him.

If Calvin ever gets it up to you think he'll make a good defensive coordinator.

If Calvin ever gets it up to you think he'll make a good defensive coordinator.

I mean, I I have no doubt in my mind, I because just the way he works and goes about things. So I'm excited to see where like his path takes him.

I mean, I I have no doubt in my mind, I because just the way he works and goes about things. So I'm excited to see where like his path takes him.

Wherever that might be.

Wherever that might be.

Again, like I'm just a player, so I have no poll but like just appreciative of him. And definitely he's worked for everything he's got, He's hurt everything, so and I feel like it's just there's a lot of coaches, but especially him just holding the linebacker room together the way he has has been fantastic.

Again, like I'm just a player, so I have no poll but like just appreciative of him. And definitely he's worked for everything he's got, He's hurt everything, so and I feel like it's just there's a lot of coaches, but especially him just holding the linebacker room together the way he has has been fantastic.

Let's talk about this matchup a little bit team he faced Week seven, close game. You know, rates came right to the end there. You guys played pretty well as a defense. Twenty three points against that crew against that passing offense was pretty good. The difference this week TJ Hockinson's back. That affects you a little bit. Just how different of an offense are they with TJ and having that playmaker at tight end.

Let's talk about this matchup a little bit team he faced Week seven, close game. You know, rates came right to the end there. You guys played pretty well as a defense. Twenty three points against that crew against that passing offense was pretty good. The difference this week TJ Hockinson's back. That affects you a little bit. Just how different of an offense are they with TJ and having that playmaker at tight end.

Oh yeah, I feel like, uh, you know, this offense is highly powerful. They got explosive players all over the place. So that's gonna we're gonna have a work cutout for us that and then bringing TJ back, I just feel like he's just a crafty route runner. He just knows the game inside, now knows his job responsibilities, and he just comes up with.

Oh yeah, I feel like, uh, you know, this offense is highly powerful. They got explosive players all over the place. So that's gonna we're gonna have a work cutout for us that and then bringing TJ back, I just feel like he's just a crafty route runner. He just knows the game inside, now knows his job responsibilities, and he just comes up with.

Tough catches play after play.

Tough catches play after play.

So we're gonna have a work cutout for us with that aspect. And I feel like he's just like the quarterback safety blanket at times too, So we're gonna have our work cutout for us. But again, it's just gonna be such a great environment, such a great opportunity, So you couldn't ask for anything.

So we're gonna have a work cutout for us with that aspect. And I feel like he's just like the quarterback safety blanket at times too, So we're gonna have our work cutout for us. But again, it's just gonna be such a great environment, such a great opportunity, So you couldn't ask for anything.

Tunnel, when those people are jacked up the way they're gonna be jacked up Sunday night, and you do you just feed off that energy, You just feel it and it does is it fuel almost?

Tunnel, when those people are jacked up the way they're gonna be jacked up Sunday night, and you do you just feed off that energy, You just feel it and it does is it fuel almost?

I mean yeah, I mean if you run out of the tunnel and you don't feel.

I mean yeah, I mean if you run out of the tunnel and you don't feel.

So you should be. Yeah.

So you should be. Yeah.

So, I mean you can't really even describe it honestly, Like it's unbelievable, like what everything can do like to you and just get you jacked up ready to play. So yeah, no, I'm just super excited. This atmosphere is gonna be awesome and the fans are just unbelievable.

So, I mean you can't really even describe it honestly, Like it's unbelievable, like what everything can do like to you and just get you jacked up ready to play. So yeah, no, I'm just super excited. This atmosphere is gonna be awesome and the fans are just unbelievable.

You got married season did How is that treating you?

You got married season did How is that treating you?

How was married life different at all?

How was married life different at all?

Is it the same?

Is it the same?

No, Yeah, it's been good. Uh me and my wife, we've been doing.

No, Yeah, it's been good. Uh me and my wife, we've been doing.

Good, like she's quite a while.

Good, like she's quite a while.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah, we started we got we started to like get uh dating my sophomore year in college. I really sophomore year. So yeah, we were together like four years before he got married, so I knew I had a good one, so I better.

Yeah, we started we got we started to like get uh dating my sophomore year in college. I really sophomore year. So yeah, we were together like four years before he got married, so I knew I had a good one, so I better.

I met my wife my freshman year and we've been together twenty years now.

I met my wife my freshman year and we've been together twenty years now.

Yeah, so it's good. So you know, so nothing changed.

Yeah, so it's good. So you know, so nothing changed.

The same.

The same.

Yeah, So I.

Yeah, So I.

Mean it's just been nice to come home to her every single day and like get to hang out with her, just like just like getting to hang out my best friend every single day like that. I'd say that's changed just because in college we didn't like get to see each other yea, like every single day because she uh that she went to Iowan.

Mean it's just been nice to come home to her every single day and like get to hang out with her, just like just like getting to hang out my best friend every single day like that. I'd say that's changed just because in college we didn't like get to see each other yea, like every single day because she uh that she went to Iowan.

And she transferred to Drake so which was like two hours.

And she transferred to Drake so which was like two hours.

She was an athlete too, right, she played basketball, so.

She was an athlete too, right, she played basketball, so.

She was like two hours away. So and then her season over last my season and like stuff like that. So honestly, we we we we look back and like at times it would have been nice to like hang out and see each other a lot. But it was a blessing. So but now that we are married and that she's up here, it's been amazing.

She was like two hours away. So and then her season over last my season and like stuff like that. So honestly, we we we we look back and like at times it would have been nice to like hang out and see each other a lot. But it was a blessing. So but now that we are married and that she's up here, it's been amazing.

And having an athlete like that. She understands what you're going through, stands the whole deal too, right, So yeah, she understands it.

And having an athlete like that. She understands what you're going through, stands the whole deal too, right, So yeah, she understands it.

But at the time she's my dang's biggest critic. I get home and she'll be like, why did.

But at the time she's my dang's biggest critic. I get home and she'll be like, why did.

You really Yeah, oh yeah, that's a good thing to have though.

You really Yeah, oh yeah, that's a good thing to have though.

Oh yeah, she keeps yeah, she tells her how it is. I appreciate that.

Oh yeah, she keeps yeah, she tells her how it is. I appreciate that.

Well, congratulations, thank you for that. Congratulations on the alternate to the Pro Bowl. Hopefully that is something you guys never sniffed.

Well, congratulations, thank you for that. Congratulations on the alternate to the Pro Bowl. Hopefully that is something you guys never sniffed.

You're getting ready to go to New Orleans and play that Sunday is going to be fun. Need a couple of big plays from that from that defense, I know you guys will get it done.

You're getting ready to go to New Orleans and play that Sunday is going to be fun. Need a couple of big plays from that from that defense, I know you guys will get it done.

Thanks so so much for joining me.

Thanks so so much for joining me.

Thank you. Yeah, I have a good time.

Thank you. Yeah, I have a good time.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Welcome back to the Twin in the Huddle podcast. I am very happy to welcome in Ben Gesling. He does a great job covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He also does the Access Vikings podcast and newsletter on Kfan in Minneapolis all the time too, so he is you need Minnesota Vikings coveras he's the guy to go to.

Welcome back to the Twin in the Huddle podcast. I am very happy to welcome in Ben Gesling. He does a great job covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. He also does the Access Vikings podcast and newsletter on Kfan in Minneapolis all the time too, so he is you need Minnesota Vikings coveras he's the guy to go to.

Ben, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Appreciate it, Tim, Thanks so much for having me. Looking forward to chatting with you.

Ben, thanks for taking the time. I appreciate it. Appreciate it, Tim, Thanks so much for having me. Looking forward to chatting with you.

Well boy.

Well boy.

Week eighteen and the NF, the the scheduling. Gods, we're looking down on the NFL, weren't they. I mean we've never had a matchup like this and all history. Just how fun is this week gonna be leading into Sunday? And how much are you looking forward to Sunday night?

Week eighteen and the NF, the the scheduling. Gods, we're looking down on the NFL, weren't they. I mean we've never had a matchup like this and all history. Just how fun is this week gonna be leading into Sunday? And how much are you looking forward to Sunday night?

Yeah, I mean it's funny.

Yeah, I mean it's funny.

I was just working on a story about this for our newsletter this week, and it's historic in a lot of ways. I can remember being a kid in nineteen ninety the Giants and the forty nine ers played like a Monday night game. They were both ten I think there were ten and one, and everybody called it Super Bowl twenty four and a half, and they were like there was an seven Patriots Colts matchup whether I think they were both undefeated. And then we had the big Chiefs Rams game in twenty eighteen with all the points on Monday Night Football, but none of them have been like this. I mean, this is effectively a playoff game. It's not winner go home like a playoff game is, but the winner of the game automatically advances around further in the playoffs than the loser does, so in that sense, it is very much like a playoff game. And this has become historically this is probably not the biggest rivalry in the division. I mean, you can talk about Bears Packers, you can talk about probably the Lions Packers with all the Thanksgiving matchups. Certainly Packers Vikings has had a lot of history to it, Lions Bears probably as well. But you could make the argument that this is the pre eminent rivalry in the division right now. This is going to have the division winner each of the last three years. The Lions win the division at US Bank Stadium last year, but after they prevented the Vikings from clinching at Ford Field in twenty twenty two. So there's getting to be enough back and forth between these teams that there's some history, there's some intensity to it, and then the stakes on the line. It's hard to imagine a better setup for the NFL for their Sunday Night finale, and they couldn't have drawn it up any better than this. I don't think they could have predicted this if they tried, And.

I was just working on a story about this for our newsletter this week, and it's historic in a lot of ways. I can remember being a kid in nineteen ninety the Giants and the forty nine ers played like a Monday night game. They were both ten I think there were ten and one, and everybody called it Super Bowl twenty four and a half, and they were like there was an seven Patriots Colts matchup whether I think they were both undefeated. And then we had the big Chiefs Rams game in twenty eighteen with all the points on Monday Night Football, but none of them have been like this. I mean, this is effectively a playoff game. It's not winner go home like a playoff game is, but the winner of the game automatically advances around further in the playoffs than the loser does, so in that sense, it is very much like a playoff game. And this has become historically this is probably not the biggest rivalry in the division. I mean, you can talk about Bears Packers, you can talk about probably the Lions Packers with all the Thanksgiving matchups. Certainly Packers Vikings has had a lot of history to it, Lions Bears probably as well. But you could make the argument that this is the pre eminent rivalry in the division right now. This is going to have the division winner each of the last three years. The Lions win the division at US Bank Stadium last year, but after they prevented the Vikings from clinching at Ford Field in twenty twenty two. So there's getting to be enough back and forth between these teams that there's some history, there's some intensity to it, and then the stakes on the line. It's hard to imagine a better setup for the NFL for their Sunday Night finale, and they couldn't have drawn it up any better than this. I don't think they could have predicted this if they tried, And.

It was an easy decision to move this game to Sunday night obviously last game of the year with everything on the line, and these teams played at US Bank Stadium Week seven seems like a long time ago now with everything that's happened. Obviously, you know the Vikings lost the next week, but then they have just gone on a tear, haven't lost since Week eight.

It was an easy decision to move this game to Sunday night obviously last game of the year with everything on the line, and these teams played at US Bank Stadium Week seven seems like a long time ago now with everything that's happened. Obviously, you know the Vikings lost the next week, but then they have just gone on a tear, haven't lost since Week eight.

I'm just curious.

I'm just curious.

Lions won that game thirty one to twenty nine, went right down to the end. How are the Vikings a different football team Week eighteen than the one the Lion saw back at us Bank Week seven.

Lions won that game thirty one to twenty nine, went right down to the end. How are the Vikings a different football team Week eighteen than the one the Lion saw back at us Bank Week seven.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I think the biggest thing there, tim is probably Sam Donald is playing at a level that I don't think we saw at that point. I mean, he had a couple of games there they lose that when they go out and lose to the Rams, and then he really had a couple where they were winning in spite of a few turnovers, and they had kind of a meeting with him after they beat Jacksonville twelve to seven and they had a ton of yards, but his turnovers really prevented them from pulling away in that game. And Kevin O'Connell has talked about this. Sam Darnold really took charge of that meeting. It was just a Monday review the day after the game, kind of watching the film, and Donald was the one saying, Hey, I needed to go here, I needed to come off with this reed sooner. I needed to throw this ball in this spot. So there's just been a level of development with him in this offense that I think has them functioning at a higher level than they were in that game in October, and especially now the TJ.

I think the biggest thing there, tim is probably Sam Donald is playing at a level that I don't think we saw at that point. I mean, he had a couple of games there they lose that when they go out and lose to the Rams, and then he really had a couple where they were winning in spite of a few turnovers, and they had kind of a meeting with him after they beat Jacksonville twelve to seven and they had a ton of yards, but his turnovers really prevented them from pulling away in that game. And Kevin O'Connell has talked about this. Sam Darnold really took charge of that meeting. It was just a Monday review the day after the game, kind of watching the film, and Donald was the one saying, Hey, I needed to go here, I needed to come off with this reed sooner. I needed to throw this ball in this spot. So there's just been a level of development with him in this offense that I think has them functioning at a higher level than they were in that game in October, and especially now the TJ.

Hockinson is back.

Hockinson is back.

I mean, I think that's made an awfully big difference to the level of weapons they have. I mean, you've seen everybody kind of try to camp out on Justin Jefferson and dare them to beat the defense with somebody else, and whether it's been Hockinson Jordan Addison I think has five touchdowns in the last three games and really has has been pretty impressive with some of the things he does to beat coverage. So they are different in that regard. They are they're not with Christian Darosol anymore. Obviously the left tackle toys ACL in that Rams game, They've been able to get by with Cam Robinson. They've done a nice job protecting Sam Darnold that probably isn't quite as good as what they would have with Christian Darosov, but they've been able to survive. And I think they've been a lot of the same things on defense, but the difference is probably that even as teams catch onto what they're doing, they've done a really nice job of kind of coming up with other wrinkles and figuring out ways to stay ahead. It's a lot of veteran players that know a lot of different wrinkles and a lot of versatility in that scheme that allow them to adjust when the Lions figure things out. Because you did hear players talk about that after that game, that the Lions had gotten a beat on what the Vikings were doing, where the blitzes were coming from. I think Ben Johnson did a number of things in that game to protection wise that the Vikings had not seen. So a lot of their approach has been how do we come up with ways to be versatile enough, be multiple enough that people aren't catching on to what we're doing, and we'll see what that looks like Sunday night. It's certainly one of those chess match elements to this game, but they have been aware of that, and I think I've tried to make some adjustments to that on defense.

I mean, I think that's made an awfully big difference to the level of weapons they have. I mean, you've seen everybody kind of try to camp out on Justin Jefferson and dare them to beat the defense with somebody else, and whether it's been Hockinson Jordan Addison I think has five touchdowns in the last three games and really has has been pretty impressive with some of the things he does to beat coverage. So they are different in that regard. They are they're not with Christian Darosol anymore. Obviously the left tackle toys ACL in that Rams game, They've been able to get by with Cam Robinson. They've done a nice job protecting Sam Darnold that probably isn't quite as good as what they would have with Christian Darosov, but they've been able to survive. And I think they've been a lot of the same things on defense, but the difference is probably that even as teams catch onto what they're doing, they've done a really nice job of kind of coming up with other wrinkles and figuring out ways to stay ahead. It's a lot of veteran players that know a lot of different wrinkles and a lot of versatility in that scheme that allow them to adjust when the Lions figure things out. Because you did hear players talk about that after that game, that the Lions had gotten a beat on what the Vikings were doing, where the blitzes were coming from. I think Ben Johnson did a number of things in that game to protection wise that the Vikings had not seen. So a lot of their approach has been how do we come up with ways to be versatile enough, be multiple enough that people aren't catching on to what we're doing, and we'll see what that looks like Sunday night. It's certainly one of those chess match elements to this game, but they have been aware of that, and I think I've tried to make some adjustments to that on defense.

You know, I'm glad you mentioned Addison and then obviously Hockinson too, because I think these teams are similar in a lot of ways with obviously superstar wide receivers with Justin Jefferson and i'm on Ross Saint Brown. But it's those complementary pieces that are so important. And you look at Jordan Adison ten touchdowns on the year. I believe Hockinson obviously Detroit fans know what he can do and what he can produce. And you've got the same thing with Jamison Williams now stepping into his own here being that compliment to I'm on Ross Saint Brown and obviously Sam Laporta too, So these teams are very similar. Just how important are those secondary pieces, and especially with Addison, how important has his development now in his second year, taken some of the pressure off of Justin Jefferson and really been a piece that Sam Darnold seems to really trust now yeah.

You know, I'm glad you mentioned Addison and then obviously Hockinson too, because I think these teams are similar in a lot of ways with obviously superstar wide receivers with Justin Jefferson and i'm on Ross Saint Brown. But it's those complementary pieces that are so important. And you look at Jordan Adison ten touchdowns on the year. I believe Hockinson obviously Detroit fans know what he can do and what he can produce. And you've got the same thing with Jamison Williams now stepping into his own here being that compliment to I'm on Ross Saint Brown and obviously Sam Laporta too, So these teams are very similar. Just how important are those secondary pieces, and especially with Addison, how important has his development now in his second year, taken some of the pressure off of Justin Jefferson and really been a piece that Sam Darnold seems to really trust now yeah.

I mean that that development for him has been a major component to this in the second half of the season for the Vikings. I mean he has gotten He's not a big receiver, he's only he measured I think one hundred and seventy three pounds at the combine, but he's gotten stronger. I think that year in an NFL weight room has helped him. He's better against press coverage because of that. And I think his footwork. I mean you saw it on that stop and Go Sunday afternoon against the Packers where he's able to lul Javon Buller to sleep and then just turned turn his hips and then beat him in coverage. He does that a lot. I mean, he's gotten a lot better in terms of being able to use his route running ability to beat corners and get himself open. I think that has made an awfully big difference to what they do because you see everybody kind of do the They'll either keep a safety over the top of Jefferson or it's a straight double team, or you know, there's different ways that teams go about it. But the upshot has been beat us with anybody else, we dare you, and Addison has allowed the Vikings to do that. I think that the level of confidence, the level of trust that Darnold has developed in him has been a big part of that. So yes, the complimentary pieces, I mean, you go down the line with the Vikings too. Jalen Naylor will he scored a touchdown on Sunday, I think had five catches. He'll get the ball some and then yeah, the Vikings certainly know with the Lions, all of the people you have to defend, all of the different things you have to worry about with that offense. Even though David Montgomery's not there, obviously, Jamir Gibbs has still kept that running game going at almost.