Listen in to What Dan Campbell Had to Say to Kevin O’Connell After the Week 18 Game

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Apparently, Dan Campbell thinks that Detroit and Minnesota are destined to play each other before too long.

The clip is circulating on social media. The full quote from the Lions’ head coach when he shook hands with the Vikings’ head coach: “Good job, great season, I’ll see you in two weeks.” The implication is that Campbell expects the Vikings to take care of business in the Wild Card Round, leading to a potential rematch in a couple of weeks.

Dan Campbell, Kevin O’Connell, & The Potential Rematch

Indeed, the Lions’ HC seems confident that he’ll see the division rival yet again.

The downside for Minnesota is that any playoff rematch will be taking place inside Ford Field, the place where the Vikings just got beat by a score of 31-9. Kevin O’Connell’s team would need to play far better to snag a victory.

Of course, being able to earn that chance at a rematch is contingent on precisely that factor: being able to earn it. In other words, being able to beat the Rams on Monday Night Football, setting up a scenario where the Vikings are reasonably the lowest remaining seed in the NFC.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Detroit has locked up the top spot in the NFC.

As a result, the Lions will get an opening-round bye, meaning there’s not only extra rest but a guaranteed spot in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. When those games arrive, the Lions will take on the lowest seed that remains in the conference. Apparently, Campbell thinks that could be Minnesota.

The initial NFC games involve the Eagles taking on the Packers (#2 vs. #7), the Buccaneers taking on the Commanders (#3 vs. #6), and then the Rams taking on the Vikings (#4 vs. #5). If the Eagles, Bucs, and Vikings win, then Minnesota will go right back to Ford Field for a rematch with Detroit.

Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Now, there’s no guarantee that things transpire in the manner that Dan Campbell predicted.

Tampa Bay is a division winner but it won’t be shocking if they lose in the opening round to Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. In that scenario, Washington would travel to Detroit since they’re the 6th-ranked team, lower than Minnesota. Any Vikings rematch would need to wait, if it occurs at all. And, of course, that’s not even factoring in a potential upset from Green Bay over Philadelphia.

These possibilities largely exist outside of the Vikings’ control. What is in their control is how they play in Los Angeles. Only two teams have been able to overcome Kevin O’Connell’s Vikings this year: the Lions and the Rams. Ironically, losing to the Lions yet again puts Minnesota on a collision course with the other team that beat them. All of the pressure is going to be on the Vikings.

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

The Vikings and Rams will play on Monday, January 13th. Kickoff will be taking place at 7:00 p.m. CT. Winning would mean that there’s a good chance the Vikings get a chance at redemption over the Lions.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this piece.

K. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been covering the Vikings full time since the summer of 2021. He can be found on Twitter, as a co-host for Notes from the North, and as the proprietor at The Vikings Gazette, a humble Vikings Substack.