Christmas Day brings urgency to Minneapolis, and for Detroit, Week 17 is as close to a playoff elimination game as it gets.
On the road, in a divisional environment, against a familiar opponent, Detroit’s margin for error is zero, and if Dan Campbell's group is going to keep their postseason hopes alive, one matchup on the perimeter will quietly dictate how the night unfolds.
It hasn't been a typical season for Minnesota’s passing offense, nor for its top target in Justin Jefferson. Heading into Week 17, the production numbers are modest by elite standards, with limited touchdowns (2) and long stretches where explosive plays have been absent.