While we don't know yet if J.J. McCarthy will be playing in the matchup, we do know that there will be actual stakes on the line when the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions later this week on Christmas Day inside U.S. Bank Stadium.
Thanks to their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, the Lions now desperately need a victory over the Vikings on Thursday to remain alive in this season's NFC playoff picture. If Minnesota comes away with a win over Detroit later this week, then the Lions will be officially eliminated from competing in the 2025 postseason.