"We be BEATING people up" - Kerby Joseph feeds into 'Lions curse' narrative after Sam Darnold and Vikings falter in playoffs

The Minnesota Vikings' campaign finished disappointingly. They lost to the Detroit Lions in Week 18, which cost them the No. 1 seed in the NFC, and were beaten by the Los Angeles Rams in the wildcard round of the playoffs, ending their campaign.

The Vikings were poor in both games, especially in their 27-9 loss to the Rams. However, Lions star Kerby Joseph believes he knows why they performed poorly against LA. On the Up & Adams Show, the safety claimed Minnesota succumbed to the 'Lions Curse.' He said:

"I've seen a couple of teams that we've played and beat, they just continue to lose after... I think we be BEATING people up... You've seen what we do. What we put there out on film. Physicality and toughness. I feel like we out-physical our opponents."

The Lions Curse: Is it real?

The Lions' physical playstyle does leave teams worse for wear. Most teams that have faced them have struggled to bounce back with a good performance the following week. Most have succumbed to a loss.

In the 2024 season, teams are 6-11 after facing the Lions. Of the six teams to win, two beat the New England Patriots, who finished 4-13 and one had a bye the week after facing Detroit.

Six of the 11 were held to 14 points or fewer by their opponents in the game after they faced the Lions. Detroit's bruising playstyle left more than a handful of teams limping.

However, franchises that will battle the Lions in the playoffs won't have to worry about their performance in their subsequent game if they lose as it'd mark the end of their campaign.

The Washington Commanders are the first team to face the daunting task of lining up against Detroit in the playoffs in the divisional round during the upcoming weekend. As thrilling as their win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wildcard round was, they will head to Ford Field as the heavy underdogs against a rampant Lions team.