TO CLOSE

The Detroit Lions were thrown three to four times eight times from 1978 to 2017; they made the playoffs two of those seasons.
Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press

Lions security, Miles Killebrew (35) divides his pass to Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell in the second quarter in Minneapolis on October 1, 2017. The Lions have won 14-7.(Photo: Brad Rempel, USA TODAY Sports)

Free Press columnists and sports columnists predict Sunday's game, a NFC North clash between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings in Minneapolis.

Jeff Seidel

Vikings 28, Lions 17: Hey, sit upright. Show respect. You do not waste your time reading this prediction. Got that? D & # 39; agreement. So let's recap: Golden Tate is gone. Matt Patricia joined the posture police. And all hope seems gone. Which means that this is exactly the type of game that Lions will win, right? Nah.

Carlos Monarrez

Vikings 31, Lions 20: The Vikings are the most balanced team in the division and have a strong offensive behind Kirk Cousins, who is second in the NFL yards and 70.7 percent of his passes, and the receivers from first-order Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. . Lions defense will need a fantastic match to give the Gold Lions offense a chance to fight.

Windsor: The condescending tone of Matt Patricia would sound better when he won

Shawn Windsor

Lions 16, Vikings 13: The Vikings are a little healthier, but they are the Lions. This year they will keep their winning streak in games that you think they'll lose.

Dave Birkett

Vikings 23, Lions 17: Lions can not stop the race and trade their most productive receivers, but they are still at the heart of the NFC North race. They have a balanced attack and an emerging racing game led by Kerryon Johnson, and they will need the rookie to play a big game against one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Vikings reached the NFC championship game last year and are a better team now, even if it's not on their record. They have two dangerous receivers, an above-average quarterback and a fierce pass that will be difficult for Lions to handle. The Lions and Vikings played a pair of seven-point games last year, each winning the home win, and Sunday should be a new reversal.

Key of the victory: How Darius Slay Can Preserve a Calvin Johnson Record Against the Vikings

Analysis: The Golden Tate Trade raises new questions for Lions, whether they win or lose

Birkett: Summary of Lions discussions: Is Sunday's clash against the Vikings imperative?

Lions mailbag: One can feel conflict over the trade in the gold tate

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