DETROIT — The stakes are clear.
The Detroit Lions will face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday Night Football to conclude the NFL’s regular season. The victor claims the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed, while the loser will fall to the No. 5 seed and head to the wild-card round.
Here’s a look at our projected depth chart for the Lions.
Quarterbacks
- Jared Goff
- Hendon Hooker
- Teddy Bridgewater
Teddy Bridgewater was inactive as the emergency third quarterback last week, and that is expected to remain the same in Week 18. Hendon Hooker continues as the primary backup. The emergency third quarterback can only enter the game if both active quarterbacks are injured and unable to continue.
Running backs
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Craig Reynolds
- Sione Vaki
- Jermar Jefferson
Questionable: Craig Reynolds
Out: David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds is listed as questionable for Sunday after a solid performance last week, gaining 66 yards on nine touches against the 49ers. However, a back injury appeared on Friday’s injury report, which could mean more work for Jahmyr Gibbs. The absence of Jermar Jefferson’s promotion could indicate the Lions are confident Reynolds will be able to play against the Vikings.
Wide receivers
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
Backups: Allen Robinson, Kalif Raymond
Questionable: Kalif Raymond
Kalif Raymond appears on track to return for the first time in a month. His speed adds another dimension to this high-powered offense, and his familiarity with the system will be an advantage. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams were the stars last week and should continue to be this week. In Week 7, St. Brown caught eight passes for 110 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings.
Tight ends
- Sam LaPorta
- Brock Wright
- Shane Zylstra
Sam LaPorta is hitting his stride at just the right moment. After a slow start to his promising season, the second-year tight end has averaged at least seven targets in each of the last four games, and at least six targets in seven straight outings.
Offensive line
Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG Graham Glasgow, C Frank Ragnow, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Penei Sewell
Backups: OL Dan Skipper, OG Christian Mahogany, OG Kayode Awosika, OL Michael Niese, OT/OG Colby Sorsdal, OT Giovanni Manu
Graham Glasgow returned to the starting left guard position and performed well. Detroit’s offensive line faces a tough challenge, with the Vikings’ blitz-heavy defense coming to town. In the earlier matchup this season, the Vikings pressured the Lions 21 times and recorded four sacks, with Jonathan Greenard contributing nine pressures, a sack, and a forced fumble. Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell will need to protect the pocket, while Frank Ragnow must be adept at identifying the aggressive defensive schemes.
Defensive line
Starters: Levi Onwuzurike, Za’Darius Smith, DJ Reader, Josh Paschal
Backups: Brodric Martin, Myles Adams, Jonah Williams, Pat O’Connor, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Mitchell Agude
Expect more of the same from this defensive line unit. Levi Onwuzurike played 46 snaps, followed by DJ Reader (45), Josh Paschal (43), and Za’Darius Smith (33). Pat O’Connor was first off the bench with 32 snaps, while Al-Quadin Muhammad played 20 snaps. Myles Adams contributed 10 snaps and recorded a crucial sack.
Linebackers
- Jack Campbell (MIKE), Ben Niemann
- Trevor Nowaske (SAM), Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Questionable: Alex Anzalone
The defense needs Alex Anzalone for both his coverage ability and leadership. However, the Lions also need to protect him for the playoffs, which complicates matters for this week. Anzalone has returned to practice in full this week, but there is uncertainty surrounding his availability. Anzalone still has a steel plate in his forearm, and he is less than two months removed from surgery.
Whether or not Anzalone plays, Ben Niemann will likely continue to see significant snaps, and Trevor Nowaske will likely get reps at SAM linebacker. “…It’s really about him getting comfortable, and so much of it is — what we really like to do is get these guys worked in before you throw them into the fire,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell said. “We try to do that with as many of our guys as we can, is get them comfortable with a week of practice, then you — then they’re ready for the following week, so that’s kind of the phase we’re in. We want him, would love to have him, but we want to be smart, too. We’ve got a playoff game after this, so just trying to be right by him and by us.”
Secondary
Cornerback starters: Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Brian Branch (slot)
Safety starters: Ifeatu Melifonwu, Kerby Joseph
Backups: CB Kindle Vildor, CB Morice Norris, DB Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Out: CB Emmanuel Moseley
With Emmanuel Moseley out, Morice Norris and Stantley Thomas-Oliver will fill in from the practice squad. The Lions’ secondary faces a tough challenge, especially with Justin Jefferson leading the Vikings’ receiving corps, alongside Jordan Addison, Jalen Nailor, and T.J. Hockenson. Expect Terrion Arnold and Amik Robertson to start on the outside, with Brian Branch in the slot. Ifeatu Melifonwu may also move around, as the Vikings could look to exploit Robertson’s 5-foot-9 frame on the outside.
Special teams
Kicker: Jake Bates
Punter: Jack Fox
Long snapper: Hogan Hatten
Kickoffs: Jake Bates
Kick returners: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Punt returners: Kalif Raymond, Sione Vaki
Kalif Raymond’s return to punt returner could be a subtle but impactful boost to the Lions’ special teams.
