ALEXANDER MATTISON

This is the second part of our series previewing the Detroit Lions’ positional needs heading into free agency. Enter your email here:Breakdown: Jamaal Williams and the Lions have started contract negotiations, each stating their mutual interest in a reunion. Williams expressed his case after the season ended, with general manager Brad Holmes updating the situation last week at the scouting combine. Although, if the Lions lose Williams to an outside suitor, then someone who plays like Hunt certainly makes sense. Some of Mattison’s top performances have come against these Lions, with 203 yards and one touchdown across two meetings in 2021.

Greg Joseph kicked a 47-yard field goal with 24 seconds left and the Minnesota Vikings hung on for a 28-25 win over New Orleans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium when the Saints’ Wil Lutz’s 61-yard tying attempt hit the left upright and then the crossbar as time expired.

Chuck Foreman and Dave Osborn were among 18 former Vikings players invited to take in a spring practice last week. They liked what they saw. The two former Pro Bowl running backs are intrigued with who and what the Vikings have in the backfield. An argument could be made that they have more depth than ever before. The starting running back is Dalvin Cook, who has made three straight Pro Bowls. ...

Brandon Powell returned a punt 61 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to lift Los Angeles with Matthew Stafford mired in a slump.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (0-10-1) and Minnesota Vikings (5-6) meet in Week 13 action, with both likely to be without their top running back. These two NFC North foes met back in Week 5, with the Vikings winning a wild one 19-17 at the buzzer. Alexander Mattison handled a bell cow’s load that day, running 25 times for 113 yards. Justin Jefferson was the other fantasy standout, catching seven passes for 124 yards. See below for a rundown of who to start, who to sit and sleepers to watch in this matchup:

The Detroit Lions are down to six more chances to win a game in coach Dan Campbell’s debut season.

ALLEN PARK -- After their brief Thanksgiving break, the Detroit Lions (0-10-1) are back at home, hosting the Minnesota Vikings (5-6) in Week 13 action. He’s expected to miss the team’s next two games, pushing running back Alexander Mattison into the starting lineup. Mattison started back in Week 5 against these Lions, running 25 times for 113 yards. Series history: The Vikings lead the all-time series 79-39-2, winning eight straight games dating back to 2017. 2021 (this season) -- Vikings 19, Lions 172021 (last season) -- Vikings 37, Lions 352020 -- Vikings 34, Lions 202019 -- Vikings 20, Lions 72019 -- Vikings 42, Lions 302018 -- Vikings 27, Lions 9

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is tackling quarterbacks on the field and burying them in his front yard.

The Detroit Lions were defeated Sunday by the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Detroit Lions were defeated Sunday by the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Minnesota Vikings accelerated past Seattle 30-17 for their first win over the Seahawks in 12 years.

The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games and eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. Detroit’s defense broke franchise records by allowing 519 points and 6,716 yards, breaking marks set by its winless team in 2008 and ranking among the worst in NFL history. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Marvin Jones had eight receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns for the Lions. Lions: OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai and OG Jonah Jackson left the game with concussions.

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions set new franchise records for the most yards and points allowed in a single season during their 37-35 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17. Related: Detroit Lions set franchise records for most points, yards allowed in a season. Justin Jefferson set some records of his own on this defense. Jefferson broke Randy Moss’ franchise record for having the most receiving yards in a rookie season. @Lions K @MattPrater_5 connects on his 59th-career field goal of 50+ yards, passing K Sebastian Janikowski (58) for the most in #NFL history.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/WQIkFqFpq7 — Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) January 3, 2021

(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)DETROIT – Kirk Cousins danced in the end zone after running for a go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter and the Minnesota Vikings went on to celebrate the end of a disappointing season with a 37-35 win over the lowly Detroit Lions on Sunday. The Vikings (7-9) failed for the fourth time in a decade to make two straight trips to the playoffs. The Lions (5-11) lost their last four games eight of 10 after going into November with a .500 record under former coach Matt Patricia. In a matchup without postseason implications, the Vikings and Lions combined to play a closely contested game with a lot of highlights and lowlights. Alexander Mattison ran for 16 yards to convert a fourth-and-1 from the Lions 25 with 2:28 left, allowing the Vikings to run out the clock to seal the win.

FINAL -- Minnesota Vikings 37, Detroit Lions 35Fourth quarter4:26 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 25Fullback C.J. 10:32 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 25Holding call makes it first-and-20, but there’s no stopping Marvin Jones right now. Vikings 31, Lions 2311:29 -- Detroit Lions drive starts on own 21Welp, Harrison Smith picked Matthew Stafford off on third-and-9. Lions 6, Vikings 09:23 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on Detroit’s 42Romeo Okwara notches his 10th sack of the season, making it third-and-16. --Jamal Agnew fumbled on the punt return11:37 -- Minnesota Vikings drive starts on own 25Two rushes for Mattison don’t do much, third-and-7 for the Vikings here.

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions (5-10) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-9) to close the disappointing and strange 2020 NFL season. See below for matchups to watch and key questions heading into Sunday’s Lions-Vikings game:Offensive player to watch: WR Marvin JonesThis weekend is the last on the books for Marvin Jones in Detroit. Kenny Golladay has missed 10 games this season, forcing Jones to the top of the rotation. While he’s been forced out of a couple games, Stafford has started every step of the way this year. The Lions would pick seventh and the Vikings 13th if the season ended today.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott is inactive against San Francisco with a calf injury the two-time rushing championship has been battling for several weeks. Safety Deon Bush (foot) is also out after being listed questionable with Johnson. Cowboys: RB Ezekiel Elliott, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Malik Turner, CB Rashard Robinson, DE Bradlee Anae, LB Luke Gifford, DE Ron’Dell Carter. ___JACKSONVILLE AT BALTIMOREJaguars: CB Sidney Jones, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Quincy Williams, DT Daniel Ross, QB Jake Luton. Ravens: DE Calais Campbell, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Marcus Peters, RB Mark Ingram, LB Kristian Welch, DE Jihad Ward, C Trystan Colon-Castillo.

Indianapolis left tackle Anthony Castonzo and starting linebacker Bobby Okereke are both active for the Colts’ visit to the Las Vegas Raiders. ___GREEN BAY AT DETROITPackers: QB Jordan Love, CB Ka’dar Hollman, LB Jonathan Garvin, G Simon Stepaniak, WR Malik Taylor, TE Jace Sternberger. Raiders: QB Nathan Peterman, CB Damon Arnette, RB Theo Riddick, OT Brandon Parker, OG John Simpson, DE Carl Nassib. Eagles: CB Michael Jacquet, QB Nate Sudfeld, WR John Hightower, RB Jason Huntley, DB Grayland Arnold, S Rudy Ford, LB T.J. Edwards. Jaguars: QB Jake Luton, CB Luq Barcoo, LB Kamalei Correa, LB Quincy Williams, C Brandon Linder, TE Tyler Davis, DE Reggie Gilbert.

Minnesota Vikings place kicker Dan Bailey (5) celebrates with teammates after kicking a 23-yard field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Cowboys, Panthers and Jaguars (1-11), who lost their 11th straight game, are a combined 8-27. Chase McLaughlin even had a chance to win it with a 62-yard field goal at the end of the fourth quarter that fell short. FOUR FIGURESJefferson joined Pro Football Hall of Fame member Randy Moss (1998) as the only rookies in Vikings history to reach 1,000 receiving yards. Vikings: CB Jeff Gladney (calf) and TE Brandon Dillon (ankle) each left the game.

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)The New York Giants will be without starting quarterback Daniel Jones for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Jones was not expected to play because of a hamstring injury suffered last week against Cincinnati. Colt McCoy will make his first start of the season at QB for the Giants. Seattle was without both starting right tackle Brandon Shell (ankle) and backup Cedric Ogbuehi (calf) leaving a major question on the offensive line. ___CLEVELAND-TENNESSEEBrowns: WR Taywan Taylor, WR KhaDarel Hodge, CB Denzel Ward, RB Dontrell Hilliard, S Tedric Thompson, DE Joe Jackson.

Vikings running back Dalvin Cook ran all over the Detroit Lions in Minnesota’s dominating 34-20 win in Week 9. Cook ran the ball 22 times for a career-high 206 yards and two touchdowns. Observations: Lions crushed by Vikings for ninth straight loss against NFC NorthLive updates recap: Detroit Lions destroyed by RB Dalvin Cook in 34-20 loss to VikingsMinnesota’s rushing attack was so lethal Sunday that Kirk Cousins attempted only 20 passes. Dalvin Cook this year: pic.twitter.com/dMsbdEmrWX — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 8, 2020Find someone who loves you like @dalvincook loves his offensive linemen. 📱: https://t.co/EYGyNNxBPN pic.twitter.com/YED73bCVVw — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 8, 2020Let.

The undefeated Titans are healing up from the NFL’s first COVID-19 outbreak. DeCastro will miss his third game of the season after sustaining an abdominal injury last week against Philadelphia. Johnson, Pittsburgh’s second-leading receiver, is out because of a back injury suffered on a punt return last week. Cincinnati also will be missing starting defensive tackle D.J. Eagles: RT Lane Johnson, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Alshon Jeffery, CB Avonte Maddox, S Marcus Epps, LB Duke Riley, QB Nate Sudfeld.

(AP Photo/John Froschauer)SEATTLE – Russell Wilson capped a 94-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf on fourth-and-goal with 15 seconds left, and the Seattle Seahawks beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-26 on Sunday night. Seattle improved to 5-0 for the first time in franchise history with Wilson providing some more prime-time magic and yet another late comeback. Seattle appeared to get a winning TD to Metcalf on second-and-goal, but he lost the ball as he was hit from behind. After Cousins' pass was intercepted by K.J. After Seattle punted for a second time inside Vikings territory, Cousins led Minnesota 97 yards, capping the drive with a 6-yard TD pass to Thielen.

FILE - In this Oct. 24 2019, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis. The Vikings have centered their offense around running back Dalvin Cook and praised him at every turn, but now the bill has come due. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, FIle)MINNEAPOLIS Dalvin Cook logged off last week from virtual team activities with the Minnesota Vikings, no longer willing to participate until he has secured a new contract. The three-year, $39 million contract Arizona gave David Johnson, who's now with Houston, might be the most realistic model. Gordon took a two-year, $8 million contract with Denver.

The Dolphins get the one-win Bengals in Week 16, meaning the journeyman quarterback will remain fantasy relevant for one more week. WR Breshad Perriman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Perriman is my top add of the week, and frankly, it isnt very close. TE Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins Let me preface this by saying the tight end options on the waiver wire are not great this week. The second-year tight end finished with four receptions for 47 yards, but should have more success against Cincinnati this week. As long as he plays, Fant will be one of the top streaming options at tight end in Week 16.