What the Vikings Can Expect from the Lions This Time
In October, the Detroit Lions came to Minnesota and beat the Vikings to draw level on records at 5-1. Over two months later, the two teams still can’t be separated. The Vikings head to Detroit with the division and the number one seed in the NFC on the line, with both teams locked together at 14-2. With this huge game upon us, we look at what the Vikings can expect from the Lions the second time around.
What the Vikings Can Expect from the Lions This Time
It goes without saying that the LionLions’base will be ready. Detroit spent a long time in the shadows of the NFC North and is rightfully relishing this period of success. On Sunday night, Ford Field will be loud at a raucous stadium, benefiting the Lions’. The Vikings’ first job will be to quiet the home crowd and nullify that advantage.
Detroit’s strength is its offense, led by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Lions are the leading point scorers across the NFL with 533 points — only the Bills (509) join them above 500 points through 16 games. The Lions’ defense is by no means a weakness, but the unit is extremely banged up with injuries all over. Minnesota’s offense should be confident in putting points on the board, but it will likely need to be north of 30, at least if the Vikings are going to win.
More Jahmyr Gibbs
In the first meeting, Minnesota took a 10-0 lead and stifled the Lions’ offense in the first quarter. David Montgomery was kept quiet, as Detroit’s running game didn’t get going until they turned to Jahmyr Gibbs. The game turned when Gibbs ripped off a 45-yard touchdown run. The Lions RB finished with 116 yards off just 15 carries and two touchdowns. Montgomery is on IR with a knee injury, meaning the Lions will lean heavily on Gibbs in this game.
Winning early downs is vital to overcoming the Vikings’ defense. Brian Flores and his defense thrive when they can bring the pressure on third down. The Vikings’ run defense has been good this season and has done a good job setting up pass-rush situations. However, Gibbs is a particularly elusive back, and the Lions have a very strong offensive line. This will be a key area of the game on Sunday night.
Vikings/Lions History
The Vikings and Lions rivalry has generally been very one-sided in the Vikings’ favor. Minnesota leads the series 80-44-2; however, Detroit has been enjoying its best run against the Vikings since Minnesota first came into the league as an expansion team. Victory on Sunday night would make it five in a row for the Lions, a feat they had only achieved once before against the Vikings when they won the first five meetings between 1961–63. The Lions have won the last three at home, with Kevin O’Connell yet to taste victory in Ford Field as Vikings head coach.
The two teams have never met in a playoff game. This is as big as it gets between these rivals until they perhaps meet again in the postseason.
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