DETROIT, Mich. — The Detroit Lions get their biggest test of the season so far on Sunday afternoon, when the unbeaten Minnesota Vikings and their aggressive defense come in for a 1 p.m. kickoff with first place in the NFC North in view.
Minnesota sends extra rushers on 68.4% of dropbacks, more than 26 points higher than any other team, and leads the league in both pressure rate and sack rate. Linebacker Blake Cashman has 4.5 sacks. No quarterback has posted a passer rating above 90 against the Vikings this season.
Detroit counters with a passing game coming off a 119.7 rating against Green Bay and a line that has protected well all year.
The Lions will be without safety Kerby Joseph, who returned to practice this week for the first time since a knee condition ended his 2025 season. Coach Dan Campbell said Joseph has handled individual and group work and should join a full practice next week. Running back Isiah Pacheco, recovering from back surgery, could return in late December, Campbell said. With Pacheco out, Jahmyr Gibbs has handled 82.2% of the team’s carries.
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