ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions (5-2) are back from the bye week, heading into a NFC North tilt against the Minnesota Vikings (3-4).
It’s a chance for the Lions to keep the heat on the division-leading Green Bay Packers, and put the Vikings in a tough hole to escape. Here are three burning questions ahead of Sunday’s game:
What to expect from Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy’s return:
J.J. McCarthy is set to make just the third start of his NFL career on Sunday in Detroit. The former Michigan star and first-round pick has been out with a high-ankle sprain since Week 2. McCarthy missed all of his rookie season due to a knee injury.
And even though the sample size is only parts of two games and 40 passes, it’s quite the roller-coaster ride. McCarthy looked brutal through the first three quarters of his first start back in Week 1. He went into the fourth quarter with seven completions on 12 attempts for only 56 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. The Vikings trailed the Chicago Bears 17-6, and the offense went lifeless.
But then the fourth quarter happened. McCarthy hit six of eight passes for 87 yards with two touchdowns, adding a 14-yard touchdown run to lead the Vikings to 21 points in 15 minutes and the comeback win.
He struggled the next week while suffering the ankle injury, though, adding more mystery in Minnesota. McCarthy threw two interceptions and fumbled three times in a 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
McCarthy is clearly talented and a proven winner at every level he’s played. But with Carson Wentz out for the season, and Sam Darnold pushed out of town, the Vikings are counting on that to happen.
Lions coach Dan Campbell said you could see the poise and confidence take over during McCarthy’s three-touchdown fourth quarter in Chicago.
“That’s impressive for a young guy. That kind of tells me all I need to know,” Campbell said. “I know what the talent is, I’ve seen it. So, they’re going to do what they need to do to help him out and try to reduce the stress. Take as much off his plate, but yet allow him to do things he does well.
“(Justin Jefferson) No. 18 is a catalyst, 18’s a catalyst. (Aaron) Jones is a hell of a running back. They’re going to find ways. They want to try to establish the run, screen game, get it to 18, get this kid on the move. They’re going to do a hell of a job. They’ll have a good plan ready, and so will we.”
This feels like the perfect week for big games from Aidan Hutchinson and Jameson Williams, right?
Aidan Hutchinson is fresh off signing a record-setting extension. And Jameson Williams is looking to beef up his production, with offensive coordinator John Morton making it a point to get the electric wide receiver more involved in the offense.
Both are primed to strike and have the right mentality to answer those headlines with big games against the Vikings. Expect Hutchinson to play a big role in making life hard for McCarthy’s return to action in Detroit.
In four games against the Vikings, Hutchinson has three sacks, five tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits. He enters the weekend leading the NFL in pressures, and with Alim McNeill back on the defensive line, there will be some chances to put a bow on a pretty special week for Hutchinson.
Both Vikings offensive tackles, Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, are questionable entering the weekend. Darrisaw returned to practice to end the week. O’Neill has been dealing with a knee injury.
Justin Skule has seen action on both sides of the line while those two tackles were banged up, allowing six sacks and 19 pressures in five games for Minnesota.
After inking his $180 million extension, with a non-QB record of $141 million guaranteed, Hutchinson should again be flying around the field come Sunday.
Williams insists he isn’t frustrated with his inconsistent production. Morton said he wouldn’t blame Williams if he were pissed at him, even going as far as to say, “I failed him.”
The receiver has 13 catches for 114 yards and one touchdown in four career games against the Vikings. He caught his first NFL score in the second game of his career against Minnesota in 2022. Williams hasn’t had a ton of luck against the Vikings since then, but it just feels like it’s time for him to strike.
Williams routinely gets credit for being a great teammate, a willing blocker and for the maturity shown during his inconsistent chances. He ranks 120th in the NFL with only 17 catches, and has two or fewer catches in five of seven games.
Morton hasn’t failed Williams. Still, it shows the level of accountability the first-year offensive coordinator is willing to take. Defenses have done their best to take away Williams’ big-play threat. Safeties and other help are shading on his side of the field, showcasing the attention he demands.
Williams has acted as quite the decoy for others to have big days. And while all of that is great and true, it’s time to try and get him going a little more. Morton spent the bye week trying to find ways to make that happen, and he sounds set on getting the ball into the hands of one of, if not the NFL’s fastest player.
There have been some drops, tough chances and mistimed throws playing into the up-and-down production. The Lions have also struggled more on third down this year, limiting some of the chances to unleash Williams.
“It’s a part of the game,” Williams said this week. “But, you know, I got catches, yeah, I would like more, but I’m never frustrated about that.
“I know my time is coming. I know it’s coming. So, I’m ready whenever it’s coming.”
Who gets the start at safety with Kerby Joseph out?
Brian Branch is back in the other safety spot, and Terrion Arnold is set to make his return at outside cornerback. But Kerby Joseph (knee) will miss his second straight game, meaning the Lions again have another key secondary piece to replace.
Thomas Harper and Erick Hallett II were the starting safeties the last time out for this group. Loren Strickland saw some action, as well, as the “Legion of Whom” introduced themselves to the world.
Harper replaced Joseph when the safety went down against the Kansas City Chiefs for a handful of plays. Hallett made some plays and brings versatility all over the defensive backfield after being tested during training camp. But Harper has looked up to the task and was the first off the bench when Joseph most recently exited a game, and he feels like the odds-on favorite to get the start.
Other names to watch are Jammie Robinson, Avonte Maddox and Daniel Thomas. Both veteran defensive backs are questionable entering this game, but they would be in the mix at safety and special teams if cleared. Maddox has missed two straight games due to a hamstring injury. Thomas had his 21-day return window earlier this week after breaking his forearm.
Robinson recently signed with the Lions and had some extra time with the bye to get up to speed.
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