Coming off a Week 8 bye, the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Vikings are looking to snap a two-game losing streak and improve on their 3-4 record, while the Lions aim for their sixth straight win over Minnesota and sixth win of the season.
Last week: Minnesota fell to the Los Angeles Chargers, 37-10 on Thursday Night Football.
History: The two teams have met 127 times with the Vikings leading the all-time series 80-45-2. The Lions have won the last five meetings, including a 31-9 victory in Week 18 last season to clinch their second consecutive NFC North title.
Storyline to watch: The Vikings have been forced to shuffle their starting quarterbacks because of injuries.
J.J. McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to a preseason injury, started the first two games before suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 2. Veteran Carson Wentz played in his absence until being placed on IR for a season-ending left shoulder injury last week.
McCarthy is expected to start his third career game Sunday vs. Detroit.
"(McCarthy's in) a really good place from a health standpoint," Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said. "And I believe in his talent and his ability to show up."
Next up:
- The Lions travel to Northwest Stadium to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday, November 9 at 4:25 p.m.
- The Vikings head home to U.S. Bank Stadium to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m.
View photos of the starters for the Minnesota Vikings.
Head Coach: Kevin O'Connell
Offensive Coordinator: Wes Phillips
Defensive Coordinator: Brian Flores
Special Teams Coordinator: Matt Daniels
(AP Photo/Kevin Sabitus)
QB J.J. McCarthy
Backed up by Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
RB Aaron Jones Sr.
Backed up by Jordan Mason, Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott
(AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
FB C.J. Ham
(AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt)
WR Justin Jefferson
Backed up by Jalen Nailor and Myles Price
(AP Photo/Greg Trott)
WR Jordan Addison
Backed up by Adam Thielen and Tai Felton
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
TE T.J. Hockenson
Backed up by Josh Oliver and Ben Yurosek
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
LT Christian Darrisaw
Backed up by Justin Skule
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
LG Donovan Jackson
Backed up by Joe Huber
(AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
C Ryan Kelly
Backed up by Michael Jurgens
(AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
RG Will Fries
Backed up by Blake Brandel
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
RT Brian O'Neill
Backed up by Walter Rouse
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
OLB Jonathan Greenard
Backed up by Bo Richter and Tyler Batty
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
DL Jonathan Allen
Backed up by Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
DL Jalen Redmond
Backed up by Elijah Williams
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
DL Javon Hargrave
Backed up by Levi Drake Rodriguez
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
Backed up by Dallas Turner and Chaz Chambliss
(AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
LB Blake Cashman
Backed up by Eric Wilson and Austin Keys
(AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
LB Ivan Pace Jr.
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
CB Byron Murphy Jr.
Backed up by Dwight McGlothern
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
CB Isaiah Rodgers
Backed up by Jeff Okudah
(AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
S Harrison Smith
Backed up by Theo Jackson and Tavierre Thomas
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
S Joshua Metellus
Backed up by Jay Ward
(AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
K Will Reichard
(AP Photo/Erin Hooley)
P/H Ryan Wright
(AP Photo/Todd Rosenberg)
LS Andrew DePaola
(AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
KR Myles Price
Backed up by Ty Chandler and Tai Felton
(AP Photo/Brooke Sutton)
PR Myles Price
Backed up by Adam Thielen
(AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Here are five Vikings storylines to follow into Sunday's matchup:
1. McCarthy's anticipated return, Wentz's determination & 7 targets for improvement
Insight on Vikings quarterbacks, J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz, and seven targets for improvements. READ MORE.
2. Jefferson on McCarthy, matchup against the Lions, playing through contact & more
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson addresses the media ahead of the Week 9 matchup against the Lions in the 2025 regular season. READ MORE.
3. Vikings podcast: Preview the Lions game and McCarthy's return
Podcast host Tatum Everett and WDIV reporter Hobie Artigue break down the Lions' season and Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy's return to play. LISTEN.
4. Redmond finding his fit on Vikings interior defensive line
Vikings DL Jalen Redmond is finding his spot in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' defense. READ MORE.
5. McCarthy on returning to Vikings huddle & facing Lions in Week 9
QB J.J. McCarthy returns from a Week 2 injury ahead of Sunday's matchup in Detroit. READ MORE.
