On Thursday night, the Los Angeles Rams beat the Minnesota Vikings, 30-20. It was Minnesota’s second loss in five days, with the first–the Vikings’ first loss of the season–coming at the hands of the Detroit Lions.
Losing after playing the Lions is becoming a habit. It already happened to the Rams this year, too. In fact, it’s happened to every opponent the Lions have played in 2024. The week after playing Dan Campbell’s hard-hitting Lions, every single opponent has lost.
Minnesota’s loss in Week 8 extended the post-Lions hangover. There is an asterisk with the Dallas Cowboys, who didn’t play in Week 7 after getting annihilated at home by the Lions in Week 6.
The hangover has produced some serious blowouts, too. All five teams who have succumbed to the Lions have lost by more than a touchdown in their next game.
Week 1 Rams: Lost 41-10 to Cardinals in Week 2
Week 2 Buccaneers: Lost 26-7 to Broncos in Week 3
Week 3 Cardinals: Lost 42-14 to Commaners in Week 4
Week 4 Seahawks: Lost 29-20 to Giants in Week 5
Week 5 Lions bye
Week 6 Cowboys: Bye week
Week 7 Vikings: Lost 30-20 to Rams in Week 8
This isn’t a new phenomenon, either. It also happened to four of the final five Detroit opponents in the 2023 season.