20 Things to Know before Vikings-Lions

  |  
Oct 10, 2021
Week Nine Highlights
Image Courtesy of Vikings.com

The Minnesota Vikings (1-3) take on the Detroit Lions (0-4) at 1:00pm EST on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Here are 20 stats, facts, and things to know leading into the NFC North contest.

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  1. The Vikings have defeated the Lions seven straight times.
  2. The last time Detroit got the best of Minnesota — the Vikings went on an eight-game win streak afterward (2017).
  3. Danielle Hunter is at the peak of his powers versus Detroit, recording 11 sacks in nine career games.
  4. Per points per play allowed, the Lions are the worst team in the NFL through four games.
  5. Somehow, the Lions rank second in the NFL for defensive 3rd Down percentage.
  6. For the Lions, Kirk Cousins, per passer rating, is the deadliest quarterback the franchise has ever faced (min. 100 passing attempts). Cousins boasts a 124.6 passer rating in seven games against Detroit.
  7. The Vikings have started a season with a 1-3 record 10 times in team history. They reached the postseason once with that record — 2008.
  8. Eight times Minnesota has kicked off a season with a 1-4 record. Playoffs were never reached in any of those seasons.
  9. The highest-graded Vikings player per Pro Football Focus through four weeks is Justin Jefferson (85.7)
  10. When Sunday’s game kicks off, Harrison Smith will have played more games as a Viking than Jake Reed.
  11. Kirk Cousins’ 9.9 QBR score last week against Cleveland was the fourth-worst in the NFL for Week 4.
  12. The Vikings are the only team in the NFC North through four weeks to cumulatively outscore opponents (+2). And they’re 1-3.
  13. The Vikings are the first team in NFL history to have a losing record through four games while cumulatively outscoring opponents (+2) and committing 2 or less turnovers.
  14. Cameron Dantzler, who was beset by COVID this week, is the NFL’s sixth highest-graded cornerback per PFF.
  15. Per points allowed, the Vikings defense now ranks 11th in the NFL. But it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
  16. Per FootballOutsiders.com, the Vikings own the league’s 14th-best offense and 14th-best defense to start the season. Detroit ranks 21st in offense and 31st in defense.
  17. Per current wins and losses, the Vikings have the ninth-hardest remaining schedule in the NFL.
  18. Before the 2020 loss to Seattle, the Vikings had won their fifth game of the season in five straight seasons.
  19. The Lions offensive line — and roster in general — is totally ravaged by injuries.
  20. After Week 4, Adam Thielen was tied for the NFL lead in receiving touchdowns.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).