Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reflects before the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
This Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions will battle at US Bank Stadium to stake their claim for supremacy in the NFC North. There will be several battles on and off the field, but one Viking will be critical. Ivan Pace has a crucial role against the Lions, and the Vikings need him to continue his excellent start to the season.
The Lions have one of the strongest rosters in the league, even after the awful news of Aidan Hutchinson’s season-ending injury. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is one of the most highly-rated young coaches in the game. He could have had a head coaching job in the last cycle if he wanted one, but for now, he stays in Detroit. The Lions’ offense does a lot of things, but it all starts with the run game, which is led by a formidable one-two punch in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Detroit averages 157.8 yards per game on the ground, and when you can dominate like that, you will put your offense in advantageous positions. The game Detroit lost this season was against Tampa Bay, who kept the Lions down to 139 rushing yards and forced the ball into the hands of Jared Goff. The Lions quarterback is a solid veteran, but his success in Detroit can be largely attributed to that strong run game. Against the Buccaneers, Goff threw 55 passes, completing 34 for 307 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions.
The Lions have looked to have Goff throw around 25 times a game this season on the strength of their rushing attack. The best way to attack this Lions offense is to force the ball into Goff’s hands. The only way to do that is for the Vikings’ offense to get points on the board and then for the defense to keep the Lions’ rushing attack in check.
That brings us to Pace, who has started the season well and has been particularly good against the run. He has turned 23.8% of his defensive snaps against the run into a defensive stop, the highest number of all players in the league — per Pro Football Focus. Pace has a grade of 84.9 for run defense from PFF. The area of his game was weakest in his rookie season when he excelled in coverage and rushing the passer. So far this season, it has been his strength as he has shot through gaps and into the backfield and made tackles.
The Vikings will face a battle at the line of scrimmage against arguably the best offensive line in football. With the news that fellow linebacker Blake Cashman is struggling with turf toe and likely will miss the game. It will be vital that Pace steps up and plugs the gaps in run defense. Kamu Grugier-Hill stepped in well when Pace was injured, but his strength is in coverage. Cashman’s run-stopping ability will be a big miss and put more on Pace’s shoulders — Pace will also take over the green dot responsibility.
Pace has only played in three games this season after missing Weeks 3 and 4 with an ankle injury. In those three games, Pace has amassed 21 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 QB hits. The Vikings need Pace to bring his A-game on Sunday. He can play a big part in helping contain the run game, and if the Vikings are successful there, he can also play his part in getting after Goff.
Victory for the Vikings will put them in a very strong position in the division.