By Josh 
Week 18 is going to be huge for the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. Not only will the winner secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC and get a bye week, but the loser will have to hit the road to face either the NFC South champs in Tampa Bay or Atlanta. But here’s the kicker — there’s more than just playoff positioning on the line.
For Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, and Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, this game could give them a massive boost in the race for head coaching jobs in 2025. The winner of this game gets a head start in the hiring process, with their coaches cleared for interviews just three days after the game. On the flip side, coaches from the losing team have to wait until after the Wild Card games wrap up. Talk about a lot riding on this matchup!
Right now, three teams are actively looking for new head coaches — the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. But Black Monday is looming, and that could open the floodgates for more job openings, with teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, New England Patriots, and Dallas Cowboys all potentially looking for a change.
There are plenty of rumors swirling around about where these coaches might land. For instance, the Bears are reportedly eyeing Ben Johnson and Brian Flores as potential hires, along with Mike Vrabel. But no matter who lands where, Johnson, Glenn, and Flores will likely be up against each other for several of these roles, and the outcome of this game could be a game-changer in the interview process.
It’s worth noting that coaches who get fired on Black Monday or whose contracts expire (hello, Mike McCarthy) can jump into the fray as well. So, coaches still in the Wild Card Round are at a bit of a disadvantage. But it could all come down to who wins this Lions-Vikings showdown, and which team’s coaches get that valuable head start in the job hunt.
It’s definitely going to be a game to watch!