What Minnesota Vikings Fans Need to Know Ahead of Week 9 vs. Detroit Lions
It’s been awhile since we’ve seen the Minnesota Vikings in action, and some fans may be happy about that.
The last time we the Vikings, they were getting the brakes beaten off them by the Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday night on the way to a 37-10 loss. Now, though, the Vikings are preparing to get back onto the field with a Week 9 matchup against the Detroit Lions to try and avoid a three-game losing streak.
Ahead of that game, here is a look at what Minnesota Vikings fans need to know about the matchup.
How to Watch the Minnesota Vikings This Week
The Vikings will head to Detroit this weekend to take on the Lions at Ford Field on Sunday, November 2. The game will kick off at 12 p.m. and will be broadcast on FOX. It can also be streamed via NFL+ in the NFL app as well as NFL Sunday Ticket through YouTube TV.
Lions vs. Vikings History
The Lions and Vikings have met a total of 127 times over the histories over the two franchises. Historically, the Vikings have dominated this matchup with an all-time record of 80-45-2 against Detroit. However, the Lions have gotten the better of Minnesota recently by winning six of the past seven games, including each of the past five matchups.
Detroit has not lost to Minnesota since September 25, 2022, and even that was a four-point game. The most important game of this matchup, ironically, happens to be the most recent one. It was the Week 18 battle that the Lions won 31-9 to clinch the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the conference. This game doesn’t carry quite as much weight, but it is an important one for Minnesota to try to get back into the division race.
Lions Spotlight Player: RB David Montgomery
The Lions have been benefiting from a two-headed monster at the running back position for a couple years with David Montgomery lining up alongside Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs has been as consistent as it comes this season, totaling at least 50 yards from scrimmage in each of Detroit’s games along with seven total touchdowns.
However, Montgomery has been a bit more up and down this year. In Detroit’s five wins, he has put together 347 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. In the two losses, he’s had 104 yards and no touchdowns. Put simply, if Montgomery is playing well, the Lions are probably winning the game.
The Vikings’ run defense has been a bottom 10 effort in the league this season, allowing the ninth-most yards per game (130.4). Minnesota will need to find a way to slow down Detroit’s RB duo this weekend if they want to win.
Vikings Spotlight Player: CB Isaiah Rodgers
Minnesota’s struggles in run defense have been well documented to begin the season, but over the last two weeks, they’ve also had some major struggles defending the passing game. In particular, opposing offenses have been picking on CB Isaiah Rodgers.
In Week 8 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Rodgers was targeted seven times and gave up five receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. Things got a bit better last Thursday against the Chargers, but he was still targeted six times and gave up four receptions for 28 yards.
The Lions have one of the most dynamic receivers in the league in Amon-Ra St. Brown, and inevitably, Rodgers will find himself lined up against the star at least a couple times on Sunday. He’s going to need to be able to hang with him.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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