After four straight non-divisional games, the Vikings will play a division opponent in three of the next four games, including Sunday’s tilt with the 0-4 Detroit Lions, a team that hasn’t beaten the Vikings in the Metrodome since 1997.
The Vikings won in dramatic fashion last week against the New Orleans Saints, with Ryan Longwell booting a 30-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining in the game, giving the Purple a 30-27 road victory. Detroit, on the other hand, lost in not-so-dramatic fashion last week to the Chicago Bears, dropping a 34-7 decision at home to remain winless on the season.
It has been a disappointing season to date for the Lions, who are one of four winless teams in the NFL and have been outscored by their opponents by a 147-66 clip. So far this season, the Lions have fallen behind in games by scores of 21-0, 21-0, 21-3 and 31-0. The season was made even more tumultuous when Detroit decided to fire GM Matt Millen on September 24, a move that ended a disappointing stretch of eight seasons with Millen in that role.
Despite the struggles of the Lions so far this season and historically at the Metrodome, and with the momentum the Vikings have gained after last week’s thrilling win against New Orleans, the Vikings must be about their business Sunday if they are going to win their second consecutive game and improve to 1-1 in division play.
One key in Sunday’s game – and it’s a key in each NFL game – will be turnovers. The Vikings have a +2 turnover ratio while the Lions are -6 in the department, and a similar ratio in this weekend’s game will allow the Vikings to control the clock and win the field position battle.
The Lions rank near the bottom in points scored, rushing yards per game and passing yards per game, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have talented players on offense. Receivers Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are big, speedy targets and they could give the Vikings secondary headaches if the front four defensive linemen can’t pressure the quarterback.
Sunday presents an opportunity for the Vikings to kick-start their ground game as they go up against a defensive unit that is yielding 180 yards on the ground per game. Michael Turner of Atlanta racked up 220 rushing yards against the Lions in Week 1 and Frank Gore had 130 rushing yards in Week 3, so you can bet Adrian Peterson is looking to rebound from a 32-yard output last week against the Saints.
The Lions will play two non-divisional games following this weekend’s contest at the Metrodome, as they travel to Houston to take on the Texans next Sunday and then return home to host the Redskins on October 26. The Vikings, meanwhile, will stay in the division next week and travel to Chicago to battle the Bears, followed by their bye in Week 8 and a home game against the Texans in Week 9.