Fansided

Detroit Lions 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

By Matt Conner

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 14: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass in the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 14, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after catching a pass in the second quarter of the game agains the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 08: C.J. Ham #30 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after catching a pass in the second quarter of the game agains the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 8, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Away: Minnesota Vikings

Once again, for the Lions to save Patricia’s job in ’20, they are going to need to do some real damage in the NFC North and a major stomach punch to a rival would be to walk into Minnesota and leave with a divisional win. Such a move would not only inspire serious confidence on the part of the Lions but it would create questions about the assumed pecking order overall.

If this is going to happen, it will likely be because Stafford is not only healthy but given enough time to reach his trio of wideouts in a secondary that’s now depleted. The Vikings allowed free agents like Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander to leave this spring and they added a cherry on top by cutting Xavier Rhodes. Suddenly a once-deep secondary is thin and unproven, especially at corner.

Of course, even with the loss of Everson Griffin along the defensive front and wideout Stefon Diggs via trade to the Bills, the Vikes are definitely the more talented team here. However it’s possible the Vikings are a bit too confident in their ability to replace so many players all at once and it’s here the Lions could roar loud enough to land their hit.

Home/Detroit Lions