Vikings catch a break ahead of NFC North showdown and it could be a bigger deal down the line

The Minnesota Vikings didn't play during week six due to their bye week but still found a way to have their odds improve to win the NFC North.

Against the Dallas Cowboys, star Detroit Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson went to sack quarterback Dak Prescott and ended up completing it, but his left leg whipped into teammate Alim McNeill and it snapped in half. His season is almost certainly done, as he was on the ground for a substantial amount of time before being caret off in an aircast.

Vikings have an easier path to win NFC North

Losing Hutchinson is a brutal one for the Lions. Going into Sunday's game, Hutchinson led the National Football League in pressures per Pro Football Focus with 40. Second on the list is Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, who has 29.

The reason why this ends up being such a big deal for the Vikings is they face the Lions this Sunday with first place in the NFC North on the line. It's a massive game for the Vikings especially since the entirety of the NFC North is an impressive 17-5 this year.

Without Hutchinson on one side, theoretically, the Lions should be much easier to block. The defensive front of Levi Onwuzurike, D.J. Reader and McNeill will still be difficult to handle, but not having an elite pass rusher will allow the Vikings to be multiple with their protections and not have to worry about chipping. The Lions only have two players active with more than five pressures and that is Onwuzurike (16) and McNeill (14).

The two teams will face off on Sunday at noon CT.

Related: A massive trade for Dexter Lawrence could catapult the Vikings to the Super Bowl this season