Woodward and Mane Street: Detroit Lions Insider Show I Sunday, December 24th, 2023

LIONS GAMEDAY VS. Minnesota Vikings – Detroit Lions beat reporters Gabrielle Dee Phillips, Terry Foster, and Matt Broder preview the Detroit Lions matchup up with Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16 of the NFL season.

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The NFL does that they they pre-print stuff they just throw it away but I found it look at that I kept it bring it in next time well for those just tuning in we have to say a Merry Christmas Eve morning quite the Lions game day that we

Are getting ourselves into here a lot on the line and we’re going to get right into this breakdown of this matchup first of all I have to ask the age-old question is there an asterisk next to this win because of the Vikings current quarterback situation no okay you’re not putting in

As are you Terry this is an NFL it’s NFL right yeah this is week 16 every not every team but most teams many teams are going through uh injury issues it just happens to be a quarterback uh quarterback issue in Minnesota and they’re going with Nick Mullins over

Josh dos over Jen Hall uh it’s one of those things after after k cousins went down with an Achilles injury a lot of people counted this Minnesota Vikings team out but Josh dos in the trade deadline acquisition he sort of resp sparked re-sparked this team and although he’s not the starting

Quarterback today and he lost his starting job Nick Mullen is stepping in and um he is a gunslinger I’m not going to say he’s some uh um top-of-the-line quarterback in the league but you know he’s the most like Kurt Cousins so he fits that offense that they’ve built and

Justin Jefferson he’s one who wants the ball Jordan Addison wide receiver has had a a really good season so Nick Mullen is he’s going to be fine filling in that’s not something to to overlook if you’re the Lions and the dangerous thing about Jordan Addison as he scores

Yes he’s almost always in the end zone so you got to watch out for that but this is a game the Lions have to win or else now I tell you how this whole town explodes after critical line losses this will be one of those games because if if

The Lions lose today our little fan base who’s always want to get rid of Jared gof and fire Aaron Glenn and and and think Dan camel’s a boob whenever they lose yeah they’re they’re going to go nuts this year this game the reason is because if they lose the Minnesota game

That means they’re going to go to Dallas where these people say they’re going to lose which they probably will lose that game and then they said they’re going to come back for a winner takeoff game against Minnesota at Ford Field yeah looking back that’s the kind of game the Lions

Choke on so this is one of those red letter games for lion fans to not go ballistic again like like we did last time the last loss people went nuts and you know well get rid of Aaron Glenn get rid of jerck G he’s got a noodle armarm

Oh oh gez maybe somebody said that on this show I think so is he wearing a red hat it’s a little little FLIR passes it’s true though if if somehow Minnesota sneaks out a win here then you know the the lions are looking at a very good

Dallas team in Dallas and then again a rematch with a team and it’s hard to beat a team twice um it’s hard to lose you you don’t want to see the Minnesota Vikings for the division in week 18 you you just want to avoid you got to go

Take care of business in Minnesota today steal that NFC North title right out of right out of US Bank Stadium is that what it’s called y yep the banker the banker prove that you belong prove that you’re just not another solid little ball Club prove that you you know knock

The door down prove that you belong and you know what hey I’ll say Minnesota’s not that good there’s solent little ball club they’re cute even last year when they won the division people didn’t think they were that good and of course they proved it by losing the first round

The playoffs what you do I know winning on the road is tougher than at home but still still you still have that running game you still have Sam leap Porter you still have um Arman Ross St Brown and you have jar gfin a dome what about Jameson Williams your

Your boy J hey look I don’t trust them to to do the right thing two weeks in a row with JMA really well hopefully they prove it wrong to you well do it yeah if they do that then they will have no problems with Minnesota yeah they target

Uh I’m I’m not going to go the number that I want but okay it’s compromise they target him seven or eight times they’ll win this game guaranteed absolutely love that well that leads me right into my next question is what player are you looking for to stand out most in this game for

The Lions to get a win your boy Sam Le Porter I I I don’t think Minnesota can cover him uh I think he’s he’s going to have a good game and you know what every time we we do our player of the game thing he’s up there I mean this is a guy

That I’ve been reluctant to say that he’s going to be like Player of the Year only because he’s a rookie and I fig rookies yeah you had a nice game last time but you’ll disappear this game this man is a major player never goes away yeah he’s not going away forever forever

Ever I also think the stakes are a little bit higher and it could mean a lot to the Lions fans if he can go in there and Sam loraa could outshine TJ hson I think Lions fans would lose it more about that maybe even more than them winning this game because it just

Means that much with that TJ hackinson trade with him getting that massive contract from the Vikings that I feel like so many lions fans were doubting if they were going to even do that um but you know with that trade and with some of the business that Brad Holmes has

Done with the Vikings the Lions have gotten a lot in return so I think I think we’re all okay with that trade you say yeah I’m I’m cool with it it seems like Brad Holmes and I’ll give my player uh uh player expectations in a second

But it seems like Brad Holmes has uh has been taken the Minnesota GM let me make sure I pronounce his name right qu ad dooa uh two he’s putting on a master class and he’s using the Minnesota Vikings as his his uh his his dummy it’s

It’s the the trade back in 2022 they traded picks 32 34 and 66 for the Vikings pick 12 and 46 which they turn into J Williams and Josh Pascal the Vikings ended up getting Louis they traded number 34 there were a lot of Trades that went in but they really

Hasn’t turned out too much for the Vikings you paare that with that TJ hackinson trade we got a couple more draft picks back again it it’s a multitude of Trades and uh they were involved in this draft pick but they ended up getting brri Martin henen hooker and Antoine green all involving

Picks that came from Minnesota so to see what Brad Holmes has been able to pull out of the Minnesota Vikings uh two to three draft picks while giving them TJ hackinson um it’s been pretty special and that doesn’t even to come right still more to come they got another 2024

Uh draft pick and 2025 I forget which round third or fourth um but then you just pair that with the the the Sam laporta draft pick it just it puts it over the top I I think Lions fans I think the Lions organization is happy with where they ended up no doubt well

Since this is the holiday season I’m going to put into a holiday package for you okay what Brad Holmes has been able to do is he is shopping at Nordstrom but he’s paying Walmart prices oh love that how long can he do that cuz some point

Players going to say hey bro I’m gonna get paid I don’t know what you’re talking about but he’s been able to get away with it uh you know proven contracts and he’s bringing in guys who are like maybe have like a chip on their shoulder or somebody doesn’t believe in

Them and uh the lions are not fully engaged like like TJ hackinson he would have been fine here but he wanted that money he wanted the contract at some point Sam leor was going to want to get paid so how how’s he going to treat that talk about guys

With a chip on the shoulder or or a teams that kind of them out Jared G he’s my player today I’m going right for the quarterback because with Brian Flores the defensive coordinator for the Vikings they run so many creative blitzes they try to they try to mess

With the opposing quarterback uh rushing three and rushing six they they lead the NFL and most six-man rushes and three man rushes so they live on both ends of the extreme they’re trying to confuse Jared G so it doesn’t even need to be a huge day for golf through the air it’s

Just he needs to make these reads quick he needs to get the ball out to Sam La pora to amanra St brown maybe even Gibbs or J or khif Raymond just a quick release out of the back field so that when that Blitz comes those guys have a

Lot of open field or if they’re sending three which they do often and that’s where denil Hunter their star defensive end that’s where he’s actually gotten almost half of his sacks um rushing Three G actually needs to hang on to the ball as long as possible let those

Routes develop and then hit his receivers um with less secondary coverage out there on them um that’s when gof needs a hit his receiver so it’s going to be a big game pre- snap for Jared golf trying to recognize what the Minnesota defense is doing and then

It’s time for his Playmakers to perform but they got that offensive line healthy today so um that bodess well for the Lions as we’ve seen right but what’s the Achilles heels of blitzes screen pack yeah I mean we we may see Gibbs and J and a whole bunch of folks on you know

Just coming out the back field and doing their little or rece wide receiver screens or something so that can mess with the the Minnesota Vikings defense and one one time one one other thing the lions are always oh we’re going to do what the defense gives us no no no make

Them adjust to you yes that’s that’s that’s the difference between this team and Alliance teams of the past you know who I’m looking forward to have a big game who who cam Sutton I like that please let’s go Gabby please like he has been I feel like over the last couple of

Games on a slow upward trajectory and I feel like this is the game where you prove it because they do a lot of work that is going to need the lion secondary to step up and he’s that leading guy that needs to step up and people have

Been waiting for him to do that all season and have like a Breakout game so he’s my player that I’m hoping will stand out from science really I’m just going to come out and say it Terry agreed with me yeah whoa and but I I think cam Suman is a

Bad man yeah so yeah he’s um he’s one of those guys that can really uh no I don’t believe in cover Corner Corners in the NFL because of the the rules and everything but he is as close to a cover Corner as you can get for the Detroit Lions definitely definitely and he’s

Been playing well he he locked up Courtland something last week think he’s only given up two receptions when he’s been targeted in the last three weeks cam something’s that guy and it just makes it even easier last week against the Broncos that defensive line got a lot of pressure actually not just the

Defensive line the secondary too uh whether it was dorsy vindel uh kindall VOR um or ify meanu they put a lot of pressure on that made it easy for the defensive backs not easy easier for the defensive backs and they’re going to need that pressure with Addison and

Justin Jefferson that’s got to that’s got to be there for cam sun to have his best game absolutely and Gabby how does it feel to be praised and not cheat I mean man what a what a Christmas Eve morning that’s all I ask for for Christmas that’s your Christmas present

So don’t ask for anything else I I didn’t hear her mention eight people that has to play well no I picked one that’s it throw it out there you know I did I did dabble in picking maybe the offensive line but I said you know what

I’m not going to cheat today I’m going to give everyone a Christmas gift and just choose guess what I love you today and the only problem we’re going to have the rest of the show is I may come up there and steal that jacket that’s only the only

Problem stick with us here see if Terry steals my jacket in the next segment we’ll be right back to get into the matchups for today join Woodward Sports own jeffra along with special wsn guests for the most anticipated lion season in decades filled with different surprises and

Expert analysis you’re not going to want to miss out to our woodwood Sports YouTube channel on Sundays and tune in live from 9:30 to 11:30 A.m. Woodward Sports owned Tom maway and Sam stick day will be hosting our Lions postgame show after every Lions game all season long tune in to the Woodward Sports YouTube channel for his hot off the press takes game analysis and Kool-Aid sipping celebrations you won’t want to miss it

Join M dick and special guests each week immediately following every Lions game exclusively on the wsn YouTube channel brace yourselves Detroit as the sun begins to set two of Woodward Sports brightest young Stars will be taking the mic for a brand new show Woodward nights with sper and broer the dog days in

Detroit are over and the boys are Unleashed join in on the banter and hop on the bandwagon of the number one night show on the internet tune in to the Woodward scor YouTube channel every week night from 8: to 10: p.m. Woodward nights with Boer and prer good morning Woodward Sports we are

Back we are Woodward and Main Street here to kick off your Christmas Eve morning Mary Lions game day to everyone out there it is a big a big Christmas Eve for the Lions they have a chance to win the NFC or they have a chance to

Clinch it today what day there’s a lot on the line there’s a lot I’m sure there’s a lot of Lions fans from from P current Future Past Lions fans that are excited for today no doubt are you are you excited for today Terry I know you’re not you don’t classify yourself

As a lions fan but Lions fans I like the NFL mhm and uh I I think if if the lions are a real real team yeah they should win a day it it’s it’s going to be a struggle I’m not saying it’s going to be easy and everything but you should beat

The Minnesota Vikings and I don’t know who they have at quarterback whoever whoever the quarterback is they’re throwing everything the Lion’s way because they’re also showing out with their all whites today the Minnesota Vikings will be wearing all whites and I think there has also been a call to the

Fans to wear all white in the stadium today trying to make it a white Christmas um out there even though they have the dome which will stop there from being snow on the field but Matt made a great point before the show how have the Lions performed against teams that have tried

To bust out some fancy uniforms I think about that Tampa Bay Buccaneers game weing the creamic uniforms Lions went in there and and curb stomped the Bucks earlier in the season so on the road on the road on the road hoping a little bit of the same hoping this Minnesota and

All whites does not scare me no now because they’re in a dome now if they were outside blowing the horn and it’s snowing and everything I’d be petrified because the line players wouldn’t be able to find them camoufl themselves in the snow and probably Minnesota win the

Game I mean that’s a great didn’t even think about that the camouflage aspect of it what we have to get into though is the matchups on the field on the sidelines today we got to kick it off talking about Ben Johnson and Brian Flores because you have arguably the hottest talked about offensive

Coordinator and defensive coordinator going up against each other in this game is it a tossup who will be able to outperform the other or are you 100% locking in with Ben Johnson I have a lot of thoughts Terry I’m interested in what you have to say I I

Would not lock up anybody in this one because uh Flores you know he should be a head coach right now yeah and uh but you know what happened with him so this is going to be a great now obviously because Ben Johnson we he in Detroit most people say well Ben Johnson is

Going to is is the guy and he’s going to have he’s going to outdo florz but I’m not so sure about that this is going to be a tough one yeah but bottom line who’s got the better players that’s true that I mean the Lions do but

Brian Flores he he like a lot of lions fans have maybe hoped to see out of Aaron Glenn Brian Flores is sort of made uh he’s made more out of a lesser roster than then maybe they should they’re overperforming he’s doing that uh uh by creating creating mismatch having a

Creative game plan and then being one of the most aggressive defensive coordinators in the league uh he blitzes a lot he tries to disc dis guys’ coverages a lot like we were talking about in that first segment the Vikings lead the league in rushing three and dropping eight back but also rushing six

Bringing bringing almost the house so um his goal is to try to keep Jared G try to keep Ben Johnson off balance in return Ben Johnson has to use those weapons uh those Blitz answers uh Sam lorta am St Brown the guys he can quick release to just get the ball out and

Keep the chains moving and then they’ll pick their moments when when the Vikings least expect or maybe they’re bringing the pressure that’s when we maybe go to that screen pass that that Terry was talking about or a quick pass to Ajo or khif Raymond something where a big play

Could Happen big plays are something Minnesota hasn’t given up a lot this year I don’t think they’ve given up a run more than one run over 20 yards so they’re they’re a talented defense the Lions gota Ben Johnson has to find a way to stay one step ahead of Brian Flores

Otherwise that chess match is not going to go so well for Ben yeah but maybe this is going to be a game of a guessing game that okay I look looks like they’re going to Blitz seven and maybe they won’t but what offensive play do you have to counteract

That yeah it and you may not know if it’s the right play to actually run it so yes Minnesota’s going to be playing games and the Lion’s going to have to try to guess what’s actually coming our way and hopefully that play uh works

That we call yeah so it’s a lot I like to think of this a lot like a pitcher and a hitter match up in baseball and I’ve I’ve used that analogy before when talking about Gibbs and Montgomery their change of speeds and how just uh mismatching the timing for a defensive

Player coming up to make a tackle having to tackle David Montgomery who’s who’s Shifty but also strong and wants to run right through you versus jir Gibbs who can explode because of his agility at any given way but this defense too I think about in a similar way uh Brian

Flores is trying to use those blitzes to speed up Jared G to speed up Ben Johnson tried to get like their bat speed a little ahead of them uh what Ben Johnson and Jared G need to do they need to wait they need to wait and pick their spots

Whether they’re looking for that fast ball or waiting for the change up when they bring three people that’s the time for Jared G to take a shot downfield or whatever the case may be it’s it’s Brian fl’s way of throwing the timing off of gof and Ben Johnson and that’s his way

Of staying one step ahead of the hitter of the offensive coordinate that’s what has to happen because we saw what happens when they kind of the offense goes on the defense we saw in the Ravens we saw they how they couldn’t get back of that Ravens defense and this is the

Opportunity to show that they have had growth from that game so I think staying ahead for the Lions and for Ben Johnson to be aead of Brian Flores from the start is going to be key and do not let the Vikings take the ball first and run

It down the field I know that that’s not up to Ben Johnson but I just have to say that that can’t happen yeah you mean like right off the kick yeah no that’s something they they took away last week against the Broncos they asked for the ball they wanted to put

Their offense out in the field and although they didn’t score that opening play they punted the first three possessions no no no no brother they didn’t want their offense on the field first all right they didn’t want their defense on the field first there you go

That may or may not be true no that was that’s exactly true maybe this is how Dan Campbell pitched it to them in the Huddle it’s I want my offense out there hey I told you Dan cell MH he came out oh no we want our offense to

Get going and want on the field first no brother you didn’t want that poorest ass defense on the field first unfortunately we we saw as soon as Denver came out the very first play was was a 40 or 50 yard play to Jerry Judy um that’s what’s been happening when the opposing team’s

Taking the ball first so you’re right Terry let’s talk about the Vikings defense Ivan Pace junor I love this guy undrafted rookie who has joined joined the Vikings and who I want to put him up against and do a little comparison here is against Jack Campbell Lions first round

Pick looking at looking at both of their performances are you disappointed in where Jack Campbell is currently in comparison to Ivan Pace Jr no you got no I was going to say no but go ahead yeah I I’ll I’ll go quick I I I’m not disappointed yet it’s more I’m more

Pleasantly surprised or I should say I’m impressed there’s the word I’m impressed with Ivan Pace Jr he was someone I remember thinking maybe this is a target the lions are some team will take in the middle of the draft you know middle rounds but no he slid to he was an

Undrafted free agent rookie signed and now he’s stepping up into a starting role for Minnesota with their starting linebacker Jordan Hicks out he actually might return today but he’s been out and Ivan Pace has really stepped up he was overlooked he’s about 5’10 but he’s 230 lbs um overlooked in the draft because

Of his size but he’s been a huge reason why Brian Flores has been able to scheme up this defense in such creative aggressive ways cuz Ian Pace can play he’s really good in both the run and in coverage um and he’s just mentally had a lot of rookies um especially the

Linebacker position so although Jack Campbell has a few more tackles than him Ivan Pace has probably been playing like the best rookie linebacker in the NFC North up to this point yeah but but you know what pace may not be that good in another system and I think one thing

That coaches forget is yeah I know you want to show everybody how smart you are and how you can come up with different schemes sometimes you just need to tell a brother just go play and that’s probably what’s happened with with Pace go play I’m I’m going to free you up don’t

Think uh we’re going to be aggressive and and for a Defender that’s the sweetest music they like to hear we’re going to be aggressive yeah it allows them to play free allows them to just just run play fast and free like anzalone was talking about a couple

Weeks ago well maybe the Lions will see this see this approach over this last week as they have been preparing and maybe they’ll just say you know Campbell fly not in the same way as J but I don’t know if Campbell can fly though maybe you can J Campell he’s he’s maybe give

Him the opportunity to he’s an underrated a little bit I I mean he can play sideline to sideline there are some games and it might not be today’s game um because Tai Chandler is a little more the Minnesota Vikings running back who’s likely starting to today he likes to

Live outside the hashes uh but Jack Campbell he he can he can run where was I going that he can run sideline to sideline but there there’s times he’s a a traditional downhill downhill linebacker could who’s been a big reason why the Lions have been so good stopping

The Run Ivan Pace as well um but both this Minnesota and Lions team um their defenses have been very very strong at stopping the run something that the OC’s are going to have to to counteract also and young Gabby maybe it’s not hey Jack camill go fly yeah yeah maybe it’s Jack

Hill Attack okay you know send him out like he’s a pit bull yeah um one one thing I said a couple weeks ago I thought that Alex anzalone was going to be their leading sack guy uh for this point of the Season onward because um they need to Blitz linebackers they need

To Blitz Corners they need to show up show different looks um for this defense to be better definitely and maybe Jack Campbell’s the guy that you say attack get them sick them use him in a different way you know right where the quarterback’s going to be in this game

Nick Mullen doesn’t have the legs that the Lions have seemingly run into with a quarterback every single week uh they’re dodging J Josh dos the more more mobile quarterback on that roster so you’re right Nick Mullen is going to be right there in the pocket it’s going to be

Important to make him uncomfortable let’s get into the wide receivers here to round this out obviously Jefferson and Addison versus St Brown and J Mo woo I mean what pair are you more excited to watch today if you can choose I’m always more excited to watch J moam and

Wrestling brown but that duo in Minnesota they’re very talented and Justin Jefferson being hurt a lot of this year has opened up the door for Jordan Addison to get not just a big role in this offense but to gain some confidence with Kevin oconnell calling plays so uh they’re fun to watch and

Justin Jefferson is arguably the best receiver in the NFL when healthy um it’s they both fit teams there there’s something special about Amin St brown with Ben Johnson and Jared gof in this offense and Justin Jefferson with those Vikings it’s going to be to me the key what does Jordan Jordan Addison and

Jameson Williams do I think like Terry said earlier in the show they got to keep targeting J not saying he has to catch all eight balls but just targeting him opens up so much especially when you have a blitzing defense having them have to focused on the outside have to worry

About J’s gamechanging speed that’s everything catches are a b bonus that’s what we want to see too but but just having those targets is huge huge what do you think Terry about the wide receiver uh matchup I you know I’m I’m excited uh about Jefferson because we

Didn’t get to see him for a long periods of time plus if he breaks one we get to see the gritty that’s true right that’s true I haven’t seen that since Jake wman uh the Red Wings did the gritty a couple weeks ago and it’s just not the same on

Skates no no but um I wonder if how it will look uh on his bobblehead though oh that’s right the bobblehead oh his bobblehead is going to be doing the gritty the Justin Jefferson bobblehead today no no no no no no Wan’s bobblehead we’ll be doing the gtie yeah so we’ll

See how that compar skat and I’m into bobbleheads now yeah but you know here’s the other thing we’re talking about blitzing and being aggressive and everything if you target J eight times he catches six and you’re blitzing he gone gone see you bye all right merry

Christmas and and and that is the thing about having Elite Speed there’s a lot of Speedy people in the NFL but I’m talking about Elite Speed you you get them in the right package you know we were talking about guessing if you guess right hit

J I don’t care if it’s a bubble screen or whatever he gone yeah just get it in his hands and I’m gonna I’m gonna take this segment and get it in my hands and throw it to the next segment because we’ll be coming back and talking about what is to

Um for the Lions for the playoff prospects what’s to come stick with us and we’re going to cover it in the next segment stop searching for a vehicle and start finding one Le Stanford Chevrolet Cadillac makes it easy we harness the power of multiple dealerships and own

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You’ll find new car quality at pre-owned prices you can start and end your search at Le stanford.com today now coming to Woodward Sports Woodward and Main Street the Woodward Sports Network Detroit Lions show catch Gabrielle D Phillips Matt broer and Terry Foster for all the latest news on your Detroit Lions every

Week only on the Woodward Sports Network YouTube channel and Woodward sports.com brace yourselves Detroits as the sun begins to set two of Woodward Sports brightest young Stars will be taking the mic for a brand new show Woodward nights with Spooner and broer the dog days in Detroit are over and the boys are

Unleashed join in on the banter and hop on the bandwagon of the number one night show on the internet tune in to the Woodward Sports YouTube channel every week night from 8:00 to 10: p.m. Woodward nights with Boner and prer good morning Lions fans welcome back to

Your Lions Insider show here on Woodward Sports Network Woodward and Main Street I’m Gabrielle D Phillips alongside me Matt broer and Terry Foster who has a special message today on his shirt for all of all of you out there if you can see it I’m doing it for the

Hoes ho ho you know I tried I tried I tried it out do terion once again he just like completely outdoes it wait till I Ste that jacket unintentionally before the end of the show what’s to come that’s this segment but you you got to stick around to see what’s to come in

The next segment too but let’s get into what’s to come for the Lions a lot on the line today but let’s now look ahead Matt uh oh I’m gonna use Terry’s words here wimpy Matt are you still wanting to the Lions to rest players if they beat the Minnesota Vikings today

Until again I I don’t remember ever officially say you know I knew he was going to say we know good damn well he said that and I I don’t know what you’re talking about what so well regardless regardless if they until they until their seed is completely set until

There’s no chance at the number one seed you can’t think about resting players if there’s still a chance to move up in the playoff setings you do that you just you have to if you need to go in and make a statement in you got to have your

Players play I this is why what makes a good head coach in the NFL these decisions it’ll be tough if they clinch the two seed and that’s where they’re set to me the the number one most important thing in the playoffs is having your offensive line healthy so I

Whatever it takes to have those Five Guys healthy for round one of the playoffs whatever seeding that is can ask you question go you can are you taking a political class no you sound like a politician now is but is it not true like they that offensive line needs

To be healthy I I’m not a fan of resting players but the key to this team yeah this team the key if they’re healthy they’re 5 and0 with the fully healthy offensive line like this team they ride or die with the strength of that offensive line so I don’t this is this

Is tricky it it’s what do you do what would you do do not take your foot off the gas no matter what no matter what I mean if you if you can’t get a number two seat if you can’t obtain something better then yeah you do at that at that point but right

Now the Lions have a shot at a number two seed I’m not thinking about number one M I’m thinking this from this standpoint I’m a playoff guy all right it doesn’t matter what happens in the regular season it’s how you set yourself up for the playoffs so if you have a

Shot at the number two seed if you feel you can go into Dallas and win then if you get the number two seed guess what you don’t have to play anybody in their Stadium except San Francisco it’s pretty nice out there right and but if you have if if you’re

At Ford Field for the entire playoffs I think the Lions could beat everybody except San Francisco if the Lions just play their first round game at home and then everything else is on the road I think they can lose to every team uh that they would have to play it

Would be Philadelphia Dallas mhm um yeah I mean you could so that’s what I’m looking at you need that second round that second round home field advantage is huge right so if they have it all locked up are you locked up heading into week 18 against the Vikings and there’s

Nothing on the line would you put your starters out there for a quarter or a half something to just stay in Rhythm and then pull them assuming assuming there’s no injuries or nothing nothing bad Happ pull them in the second half let Teddy two gloves go finish finish

Out the regular season i’ play them a little bit because i’ I’ve seen when uh starting lineups don’t play for two or three weeks and then you if you ask him to play a regular season game they’ll be fine but if you ask him to play the with

The intensity that’s needed to win a playoff game then you’re in trouble so yeah I would sprinkle him in because I still I still want to win that home game at Minnesota it’s just a psychological thing but uh I don’t think you can pull your guys for two weeks and say okay

Here’s the biggest game of the season go get them now you got you got to have a little Funk a little rust a little sweat on you so that’s that’s just my philosophy fair so what wildc card team would you want the Lions to play looking ahead honestly I’ll take

Them all you know really there’s not to me there’s not much difference I mean if you were to match it up I try to find just who’s playing the worst you know the worst football leading into the leading into the playoffs like if the Buccaneers make their way in that would

Mean they finished the season they look pretty good right now they finished their season super hot that a hot team headed in the playoffs maybe it’s Matthew Stafford he’s playing really well right now I I whatever team is the coldest I should say would be the best matchup but honestly the Lions their

Offense can hang with anybody and it’s just about their defense showing up and that’s huge they they especially at home when the crowd can get behind them I’m less worried about that defense but yeah bring them all Kelly Stafford mentioned this this is easy here’s what I look at

When we talk about playoff games entertain me MH you have to entertain one person in the world and that’s me so I want the LA Rams coming in to Ford Field W cuz I want to hear about Matthew Stafford how he played here I love chaos yeah I want to see Kelly Stafford

Popping off and she was already talking about it she was talking about it on our podcast like two weeks ago one week ago came out and was just like obviously this would be so cool to be able to go back to Detroit but I would like it under any other

Circumstances than what it could be with us going back there for a playoff game and like how much that would be but she was like yeah I’d want to go and see all you know all the fors and that whole family and Martha and see everyone and

Shake some hands maybe grab lunch I’m like wow okay Taylor Swift I think I think she liked it here Detroit was very good to Stafford Family for sure that could paid a lot of money and uh he didn’t win anything here and we still wore our little stupid well some people

Still wore the little stupid LA Rams no Detroit Ram t-shirt so he’s still loved by some people here but he’s hated by people here too but what a full circle narrative that would be oh yeah if that happened I mean that’s if if the NFL is scripted that would be the worst that

Would be the script right there yes that would be the most entertaining but if Matthew Stafford can’t can’t win a playoff game in the train can’t Le can’t lead the Lions to a playoff win and his tenure and then comes back and knocks him out of the playoffs for the first

Time as a Rams quarterback hey hey let’s have some positivity here I know we haven’t reached the optimism and pessimistic segment but you’re really pessimistic over there what if he comes into Detroit and still doesn’t win a playoff game then that would work out in favor of the Lions for sure that’s what

The movie would be great having Stafford in Detroit for a playoff game you know looking back in in 20 30 years the Lions Super Bowl run uh having this story kick off the playoffs would be huge but there’s some there’s a little bit of magic surrounding Matthew Stafford

Especially at this very moment that’s a little worrisome um I I don’t worry about the Rams as a team but the playoffs are when when magic happens uh and you just can’t trust that here here’s what’s going to happen here I’m going to put your mind at ease if the r

Rams comeing here Stafford’s going to play his ass off he’s going to pass for 300 yards he’s going to get like two or three touchdowns but the first drive in the third quarter he’ll throw a pick um third quarter even though the Lions haven’t played well in the third

Quarter yeah but staff this is what Stafford does okay he’ll get the he’ll get the pick in the third quarter and and it will stunt any momentum that they have so your team would still win but I’m going to get what I want entertainment and Chaos that’s all I

Want give me that have you already started writing your article that Stafford returns and my first first word chaos chaos chaos also throw in that article that uh Kelly Stafford did say that she would want to sit in the same box that they used to

Sit in sorry for uh his games I wonder who has that box now maybe the Hutchinson’s the Hutchinson’s have it yeah they I’ll move him out yeah he’s not going anywhere or golf’s fiance and dog no golf haven’t earned that yet really yeah oh okay okay probing the box next

Door it’s a pretty hot take to round off this segment yeah golf hasn’t earned a box yet obviously there’s a lot to come including another segment here of Woodward and Main Street but we’re going to get back to what’s at hand today for the lions taking on the Vikings stick

With us and we will be right back now coming to Woodward Sports Woodward and Main Street the Woodward Sports Network Detroit Lions show go catch Gabrielle D Phillips Matt broer and Terry Foster for all the latest news on your Detroit Lions every week only on the Woodward Sports Network YouTube channel and Woodward

Sports.com join Woodward Sports own Jeff I along with special wsn guests for the most anticipated lion season seon in decades filled with different surprises and expert analysis you’re not going to want to miss out go to our woodwood Sports YouTube channel on Sundays and tune in live from 9:30 to 11:30

A.m. Woodward Sports owned Tom maway and Sam sck day will be hosting our Lions postgame show after every Lions game all season long tune in to the Woodward Sports YouTube channel for his hot off the press takes game analysis and Kool-Aid sipping celebration you won’t want to Misses join mad stick

And special guests each week immediately following every Lions game exclusively on the wsn YouTube channel welcome back this is Woodward and Main Street I have gone full Christmas because we reaching the end of the episode on Christmas Eve and there’s only one way to close it out and I’m you

Know trying to step up my game to keep up with Terry because he does it for the house for the hosts hosts yeah thank you Terry right no way no shot but as always we end this show on game days covering our pessimistic our optimistic and of course

Our game score predictions so even though it’s Christmas Eve there is nothing new here so let’s get into any of the pessimism that you’re feeling today you know you’re waking up with a little coal in your stocking kind of feeling m I always fear teams that for the

Following week after they blow somebody out particularly in December you know maybe I I think the lions at times haven’t been mentally focused for certain games and now they killed Denver they shut up all the yapping dogs here in Detroit that maybe there’s a let down they know you know despite what Dan

Campbell says oh this is a dangerous ball club and they’re defending NFC they know Minnesota’s garbage garbage team so they got that in the back of their mind but you can’t play like that you got to pretend that Minnesota is San Francisco the Baltimore Ravens or somebody like that mhm so

That’d be my only fear but they they should win this damn game they should they should but when they’ve struggled it’s been when teams have blitzed Jared Goff and and he hasn’t been able to take care of the football hasn’t been able to get that offense in a rhythm hasn’t been

Able to get that run game going which throws off everything Ben Johnson wants to do and that’s what Minnesota does well that’s what denal Hunter with his 15 and a half sacks believe he’s second in the NFL behind TJ Watt that’s what he does whether it’s rushing three or

Rushing six denal Hunter’s there and he’s coming for Jared goff’s head so that offensive line although healthy they got they got their work cut out for work cut out for them with one of the best Edge rushers in the league well you know how you blunt that I have not been

Asked my opinion on the 15 scripted plays but one of those needs to be an end round to J MH just to slow these guys down a little bit and then put in the back of their mind that okay we’re not careful this guy’s going to burn us

Again that’s smart so that’s that’s that’s one of the plays I’d have in my first 15 scripted I like that I like that look for the J end around in the first 15 place and know that put that into you know what Jer go does well he

Disguises it well too yep I know make fun of him and there a little noodle AR but he disguises that end pretty well he does that’s and I think some of them like a little pass he’ll get it and you’ll just go get those passing stats yeah get

Those passing stats up that’s what the Chiefs did the other day um anyways I have a little personal pessimism for the game because uh you know one o00 game Christmas Eve I have a family luncheon at my great grandma’s house 98 years old oh fantastic lady uh only only negative

There is that there is no working TVs in her house man so um I will be bringing the the laptop and the hot spot and um NFL plus we will be trying to get the game anyway possible because I’m G was going to the local bar at bourbons and

Lions on Christmas Eve oh no is that what you’re doing no I’m going to be in my basement man cave in the man cave M eating maybe uh some pre pre- Christmas Eve meals for lunch I’ll steal some my wife has this whole meal planned out for

Christmas I’m going to steal some of that folks nice oh nice I’m I’m sure that will go out so well hey it’s the Lions Christmas Eve and she stunned that they’re 10 and four she’ll leave me alone okay all right let’s get to some optimism here because it is Christmas

Eve after all and we have to bring the Christmas spirit about us with some optimism Matt do you want to kick this one smiling’s my favorite I will I will and I want to I want to stay on the offense and talk about all the weapons they have to to outduel the defensive

Pass rush I’m going to go to the Lions defense and I’m I’m going to Target Aiden Hutchinson it’s time it’s time he’s had a he’s had a better season than people give him credit for but we’re all looking for those sacks Brian O’Neal the Minnesota Vikings starting right tackle

He’s likely out he’s questionable um and they do have a pretty solid backup in I think it’s David queenberry quizenberry but this has got to be one of those games where Aiden breaks out um he knows where Nick mullen’s going to be at all times in that pocket you don’t have to

Worry about him scrambling he’s getting help now too kaminsky’s stepping up Irvin stepping up maybe we see Tyson alulu in this game uh this is one of those games it’s time for Aiden Hutchinson to get two maybe three sacks I think that could be a Difference Maker

In the game that will be a Difference Maker if he does that for sure I’m jumping right in there because I think after seeing the Lions defensive performance last game they seem to have finally clicked into place a little bit here and not everyone was calling for

Aon Glenn’s head after the end of that game so I think if they can keep on that same role that is my reason to be optimistic for today’s win okay cool okay uh and why did people not call for Aon Glenn’s headit because he surprised you he mixed in a little bit of

Aggressiveness and passiveness that’s that’s the only thing that I think he needed to do with this defense guys want to be aggressive on defense and Aaron galin fell into the Trap that a lot of defensive coordinators with the Lions do they come in we’re going to be aggressive we’re

Going to go right after them we’re going to bust their chops and we’re going to do what we do then they’re like okay maybe we need to be a little bit more conservative we’ll be passive we be BL you know Bend but don’t break and all

That crap I hate that and I think he did a little bit too much of that mhm so now maybe the lions are like okay this is this December this is when you have to play winning football if you’re a championship caliber team let me have trust in my guys

Because I keep talking about how much I trust them yeah but I don’t play them as if I trust them so if they do that then uh W yeah they should and we won’t be talking about the Lions defense man we talked about the Lions defense like a dog almost like we did

About the Pistons mhm so and they’ve they’ve just been their stead they haven’t been perfect but they they’ve been a little steady Force there they got some things that they got to clean up and they have some vulnerabilities for sure but they they’ve had a better season than people have given them

Credit for it so now time you get into the playoffs so you got to keep stepping it up so that’s what Aaron Glenn has on his plate that is true but I got bad news for Lions fans out there Lions fans this defense is never going to look

Great great because the and the main reason is the NFL they don’t want a 107 playoff game they don’t want 10 seven games down the stretch so the rules are bent in offenses favor so um even if you make great defensive plays you’re going to see roughing the passer you’re going

To see holding on the secondary you’re going to see a whole bunch of bogus cause well then I shouldn’t say bogus but they’re going to be cause that we look at so what the hell they call that for but this they want offense to be Supreme

In this league oh yeah so the Lions defense San Francisco’s defense Philadelphia’s defense is never going to be what fans want that defense to be well let’s see if our optimism and pessimism now will reflect in our uh game scores here so if you could Mr Kool-Aid get that game score Up D the lions at Vikings score predictions Christmas edition nice uh little lights added to the graphic there because you know it is Christmas it is Christmas all right you know what we’re doing oh I like the lights oh thanks festive I will kick things off I am

Going with the Lions win 27 to 17 and I think I might have the biggest uh score win win difference here on on the we’re all in the same neighborhood though the same very close game I think this is going to be the game that you were talking about previously Terry where

It’s going to be a bit of back and forth that we’re going to see I think Lions fans might be on the edge of their seat for most of Christmas Eve I don’t think it’s going to be back and forth I think the lons are always going to be in

Control okay but the Vikings are going to be like one play away from either turn around momentum or maybe being able to tie the game or go ahead so it’s going to be a little bit bit of a nailbiter but I don’t think it should be

I think the Lions should just kick their ass not that good and plus this is I know Minnesota has stuff to play for but the Lions have more to play for because they’re trying to find they trying to get history going on here they’re trying to get on the rolls so

That and I’m getting greedy with this team I said the begin of the Season win the division and win a playoff game y now they need to be thinking when the division and put ourselves in position to win at least two playoff games yes they need to get to San Francisco and

See what they can do against those boys Jared gof had talked about this checklist that they have when he was on Tim 21’s podcast this week and he said that they want to check off winning the division off of that checklist that is what they are worried about right now so

I’m curious to see if you know how many playoff wins are on that checklist after they’re not going to tell us no because you know all one game at a time all we’re focused on is the Minnesota Vikings that’s what they’re telling us but on that checklist I’m sure the S

Francisco 49ers are on that checklist they got to be they got to be and Matt where where are you going with your score prediction for today break it down for us I’m I’m right there 27-21 and for a lot of the same reasons Terry said I I think the Lions should win this

Game they should win it big but Minnesota plays everybody a one- score game I just couldn’t get that out of my head when was trying to think about how this game might turn out it might be the Lions have a 27 to 10 lead in the fourth

Quarter but they find some way to come back I do think the Lions will be in control but Minnesota they always find a way to make it a close game and I don’t think they’re going to let that happen I don’t think they’re going to let a

Blowout happen at home with so much on the line no and and now this I know this is your pessimism segment but I want I need to say this now be careful of a fourth quarter Lions turnover that allows Minnesota to get a little bit closer than they should be that’s a good

Point you got to hang on to the ball J gol to control the ball and they got to hang on to it Terry can you break down uh your score for the your Lions win today yes um I think the Lions will have success against that Blitz I think

They’re smart enough to we’re going to see some little plays I know Matt talked about Minnesota doesn’t give up big plays Lions don’t need big plays to win this game but they need to get that 12 13 yards on the on the bubble screens screens to the wide receiver and the you

Know what I’m shocked at olives I’m disappointed in alliv you know we haven’t mentioned today who the running backs just pounding Minnesota on occasion how dare we not for 60 minutes or 30 minutes however but on occasion when it’s like okay fellas let’s just control some clock and

Get these guys out of here M so the lion still have that on their side so you you when you talk about trying to speed up Jared G when you talk about trying to speed up Ben Johnson they don’t it doesn’t have to be that way because this

Team is built on running and I know we’re excited about St Brown we’re excited about Sam leap Porter we want to see jerck offin is Ball but the bottom line this team is is meat and potatoes yeah and sometimes the meat potatoes you don’t even put salt on there you just at on

Occasion you switch up the game and even though Minnesota’s trying to F you know get you to go fast say screw it we’re going to run down this clock we’re going to run this football and the hell with you yeah and that neutralizes Minnesota’s strength too sure you’re

Going strength on strength and the Lions have proved that when that happens their offensive line that running game can can still dominate or can still be the stronger of the two on any given day so if you do that it neutralizes a lot of what Minnesota wants to do on defense so

I’m with you Pound The Rock pound it all right Matt let’s round the show out I’m not singing no no no no no not we’re not going there we’re not going there but I have to know if the lions are going to play a complete game today

Yes they may have played one already this season but will they continue that streak against the Vikings you know what yes 27 means there’s a field goal involved and that means Michael badgley’s hitting one he’s going to hit a field goal over 45 yards today okay that means we’re going to play a

Complete football game all all levels all units everyone is firing on all cylinders that’s twice in a row almost you know what I’m I’m glad you mentioned Mr Badgley I’m kind of wondering if the fact that he is now their kicker is going to change the mentality of Dan

Campbell MH maybe Dan camp gble gam quote unquote gambled in certain situations cuz he didn’t have faith uh in his kicker making a longer field goal now Badgley can hit him for 52 53 in the National Football League this year in particular and somebody’s lined up for a

53 54 yard field goal I expect him to make it yeah except for the Lions now maybe the Lions join the rest of the league and Badgley can hit that 53 Outfield yeah for for me I I want someone who can just consistently I mean

I would love the 50 plus but the way it’s been any as long as he can make 40 through 50 almost guaranteed I’m cool with that but we’ll see we’ll see hopefully it doesn’t come down to a kick but the lions are here this offense it’s

Going to be a good day for the offense it will be and hopefully we’re talking about a Lions win on Tuesday Morning 7 a.m. because it is always better to talk about a Lions win than a lions loss that’s all we have for you here this

Morning on when we’re to end Main Street I’m Gabrielle D Phillips Matt broer Terry Foster thank you for kicking off your Christmas Eve with us we hope you all have a safe one and that Santa brings you all that you want including a lion’s win under your tree on Christmas

Morning a victory Monday Christmas edition wow wo that would be nice hey that would be the most that would be the best Victory Monday NFC North title on Christmas morning mhm yep let’s go we’ll see you here on Tuesday 7:00 a.m. Merry Christmas now coming to Woodward Sports

Woodward and Main Streets the Woodward Sports Network Detroit Lions show go catch Gabriel D Phillips Matt broer and Terry Foster for all the latest news on your Detroit Lions every week only on the Woodward Sports Network YouTube channel and Woodward sports.com