It’s not often that a game between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings is looked forward to like this one is. Both teams are going into the game as one of the top teams in the National Football League and the winner will have easiest path to winning the division.
The Lions are a fantastic football team that just put up 40+ points in each of the last two games against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys. How can the Vikings take down the Lions? We spoke to Lions expert and beat writer here at A to Z Sports and learned about how Dan Campbell’s team operates.
With Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport out for the season, where will the Lions turn to generate pressure around the edge?
“They’ll turn to the trade deadline soon, but before then they’re going to have to scheme guys together to try to manufacture in some way what Hutchinson was able to bring. Alim McNeill and DJ Reader present a strong force on the interior and their goal is going to be trying to open up holes. On the outside, it’s the rising Josh Paschal, rookie Mekhi Wingo, Levi Onwuzrike, James Houston, Isaac Ukwu and Trevor Nowaske. Look for all of these guys to be involved in some way.”
The Lions’ run game is twice as efficient as the passing game in neutral situations. What makes it so successful?
“It’s about a great combination of solid blocking, power running and then speed. This team just balances it all the right way, David Montgomery could run through a brick wall tomorrow if he had a running start and Gibbs is so agile that’s able to change direction on a dime. The offensive line is where it all finds success though. These guys are able to move bodies around at will.”
Aaron Glenn runs more man coverage than anyone else in the NFL and that’s not a winning strategy against Justin Jefferson. How will he attack the NFL’s best wide receiver?
“It’s like riding a bull. You’ve just got to get on and hold on for dear life. That’s all you can really do against Jefferson. As crazy as it sounds, the game plan should really be to just make the Vikings one-dimensional to the point where they’re only throwing it to Jefferson. He’s going to make catches and get yards, but that’s inevitable. Try to stop everyone else from contributing.
“The big spot for the Lions is that they have been crazy in the red zone. Teams are getting there, but so far this season quarterbacks have gone 1-14 for 10 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions against the Lions down there.”