The Detroit Lions are back after their bye week and gearing up to take on the Minnesota Vikings in a high-profile NFC North rivalry on Sunday, November 2, at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions are coming off a 24-9 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, October 20, in primetime at home, while the Vikings just wrapped up a lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, October 23, on the road.
Both teams have a lot to win, or lose, going into this game. For the Vikings, it’s a must-win if they want to turn their 3-4 season around and keep up with the Lions and Packers, who are at the top of the NFC North, according to NFL research. For the Lions, it’s a needed victory to keep their heads above Green Bay in NFC North positioning.
Heading into this game, the NFL is punishing two Minnesota Vikings players. The news broke on Saturday, November 1, since every week during the regular season, the league penalizes players for conduct in the previous week’s games.
Minnesota Vikings Players Penalized for Actions Against Los Angeles Chargers
On its official website, the NFL states that these actions are “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” Now, the league has released its report for Week 8, and it includes punishments for two Vikings players.
One is linebacker Blake Cashman, who is being hit with a meaty $23,186 fine for “unnecessary roughness” and “use of the helmet.” The other is linebacker Dallas Turner, who is being served with a $19,907 fine for “unnecessary roughness” and “launch.” To decide on these punishments, the NFL states that “league staff members examine the plays identified as having potential infractions to determine whether there is cause for additional review.”
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings Meet Again
The Minnesota Vikings have been faced with quarterback drama, but they’re back to their so-called franchise quarterback on Sunday. Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz is out for the rest of the season, following a season-ending injury that occurred during the Chargers game. So, signal-caller J.J. McCarthy is coming back from his five-game absence to play the Detroit Lions.
McCarthy was injured during the team’s Week 2 game against the Atlanta Falcons, and he, of course, was also out for his entire rookie season in 2024 with an injury. Having McCarthy’s first game back and only his third start ever in the NFL against the gritty Lions is going to be rough for him.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also has undrafted rookie free agent Max Brosmer on their tally of quarterbacks and newly-signed quarterback quarterback John Wolford, who is on their practice squad. According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Wolford and O’Connell have history together. “They were together with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021, and there have been previous failed efforts to get him to Minnesota,” he stated in a post on X. The two won a Super Bowl together in Los Angeles in 2021.
So, our favorite Metallica enthusiast Dan Campbell and the Lions will have a fresh roster of quarterbacks to go up against when the Vikings travel to Ford Field. But, it’s nothing they haven’t handled before.
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