Game 272. It’s the final game of the 2024 NFL regular season and the stakes haven’t been this high in over 30 years.
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions meet on Sunday Night Football in essentially a winner-take-all game. The winner takes the NFC North, the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, home-field advantage and the first-round bye. The loser falls to the No. 5 seed and hits the road for the Wild Card Round.
This is the first time since the 1993 season that a game in the final week of the season is deciding the No. 1 seed in a conference. In that instance, it was between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
Let’s set the table for this game with a look at the latest injury news and projected starting lineups.
Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions Inactives
Minnesota Vikings Inactives
- C Dan Feeney
- LB Pat Jones
- CB Fabian Moreau
- LB Calvin Munson
- DT Levi Drake Rodriguez
- OT Walter Rouse
- QB Brett Rypien
Detroit Lions Inactives
- OG Kayode Awosika
- QB Teddy Bridgewater
- OT Giovanni Manu
- DT Brodric Martin
- RB David Montgomery
- OT Colby Sorsdal
- DE Jonah Williams
Latest Injury Report News and Updates
The only player ruled out for the Vikings in Week 18 is outside linebacker Patrick Jones II. He suffered a knee injury last week against the Packers and did not practice all week. Rookie Dallas Turner will see an increased workload with Jones out.
Two other Vikings are listed as questionable: LB Kamu Grugier-Hill (illness) and CB Fabian Moreau (hip). Grugier-Hill looks to be a game-time decision but is getting better from his illness and has a chance to play. Moreau was limited in practice all week. He has missed the last two games with his hip injury.
The Lions have two players ruled out for Sunday: RB David Montgomery (knee) and CB Emmanuel Moseley (illness). The Lions placed Moseley on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list Saturday, meaning he would be out for four games. That means he would only be able to return this season if the Lions lose Sunday but then make the Super Bowl, as the NFC Championship Game would be his fourth game missed. Otherwise, his season is over.
The Lions did get good news Saturday, as they activated LB Alex Anzalone from injured reserve. Anzalone had been out since breaking his forearm in Week 11 against the Jaguars. Detroit also activated WR Kalif Raymond (foot) from injured reserve.
Running back Craig Reynolds (back) is also listed as questionable.
Minnesota Vikings Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Vikings based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Sam Darnold
- Running back: Aaron Jones
- Wide receiver: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor
- Tight end: T.J. Hockenson
- Left tackle: Cam Robinson
- Left guard: Blake Brandel
- Center: Garrett Bradbury
- Right guard: Dalton Risner
- Right tackle: Brian O’Neill
- Defensive end: Jonathan Bullard
- Nose tackle: Harrison Phillips
- Defensive tackle: Jerry Tillery
- Inside linebackers: Blake Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr.
- Outside linebackers: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel
- Cornerbacks: Shaq Griffin, Stephon Gilmore
- Safeties: Harrison Smith, Camryn Bynum
- Kicker: Will Reichard
- Punter: Ryan Wright
- Long snapper: Andrew DePaola
- Kick returner: Ty Chandler
- Punt returner: Brandon Powell
Detroit Lions’ Projected Starting Lineup
Here is the projected starting lineup for the Lions based on their current depth chart.
- Quarterback: Jared Goff
- Running back: Jahmyr Gibbs
- Wide receiver: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
- Tight end: Sam LaPorta
- Left tackle: Taylor Decker
- Left guard: Graham Glasgow
- Center: Frank Ragnow
- Right guard: Kevin Zeitler
- Right tackle: Penei Sewell
- Defensive ends: Josh Paschal, Za’Darius Smith
- Nose tackle: DJ Reader
- Defensive tackle: Levi Onwuzurike
- Middle linebacker: Jack Campbell
- Weakside linebacker: Alex Anzalone
- Cornerbacks: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson
- Safeties: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph
- Kicker: Jake Bates
- Punter: Jack Fox
- Long snapper: Hogan Hatten
- Kick returner: Sione Vaki
- Punt returner: Kalif Raymond