The Detroit Lions and their fans have been hoping the 2025 season would start off with something big for them.
Even star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was calling for a high-profile clash in Week 1.
For him, it was the first game of the NFL season against the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Now we know that won’t be happening as it was revealed the Eagles would kick of the season with a matchup against an NFC East rival in the Dallas Cowboys.
Luckily for the Lions, it seems that may not mean the team is going to miss out on being part of an important matchup to begin the season.
The Detroit Lions’ offense huddled up against the Minnesota Vikings Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
In fact, they might even get to take on a division rival of their own.
In a May 12 social media post, “The Purple Persuasion” revealed that a source told them the Lions will meet the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 with the potential for it to be a primetime game.
The last time these two teams met was the most important matchup of the 2024 regular season.
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When the Vikings travelled to Ford Field in Week 18, the NFC North title was on the line and so was the top seed in the NFC. The loser would fall to the fifth seed.
The Lions ended up dominating the matchup, taking home a 31-9 win and their second consecutive division title.
When the Lions and Vikings meet, both teams will look very different from the teams in that matchup.
The Lions haven’t changed their personnel much, but they’ll be a whole lot healthier.
Meanwhile, the Vikings have overhauled their offensive line and will have J.J. McCarthy under center after an injury cost him his entire rookie season.
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If this is the way the season begins, it will be a hugely important matchup to start their quest for a third consecutive division title and would be a pretty strong consolation prize after missing out on a Week 1 meeting with the defending champs.
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