NFL
By Steve Rogers
The Minnesota Vikings are back in action this week. They are back home in the Twin Cities to take on the Detroit Lions in an inter-divisional game. The Vikings and the Lions are not only the best two teams in the North, but they are also the two best teams in the NFC and maybe the NFL. The Vikings are undefeated 5-0, and the Lions are 4-1. Both teams are fresh off wins.
However, the Viking’s last game was two weeks ago in London. After beating the New York Jets, the Vikings got to relax, kick their feet up, watch the Lions travel to Dallas, and demoralize the Dallas Cowboys on national TV while the Vikings rested and got healthy as they were on their bye. The Lions on the other hand went absolutely full throttle all out leaving the tanks empty to make sure they embarrassed the Cowboys and sent a message to the rest of the league “Here we are watch out”. The Lions were up by 30ish points and were still running a trick play near the goal line. The Lions’ starters were still playing when the Cowboys began pulling their starters out and waving the metaphorical white flag, the Lions’ defense snagged another interception and the offense scored again before they pulled their starters.
Main Event
This is going to be the best game of the week maybe even the season especially for a game in the middle of October. Both of these teams are rolling right now. The top of the NFC North hangs over this game like the money in the bank case does over a WWE ring. This is the first divisional game for the Lions. This is the second divisional game for the Vikings. Their first was going into Lambeau Field and leaving with the W over the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings have a road divisional win on their resume for 2024 already. Now the Vikings welcome the Lions to U.S. Bank Stadium for their first home divisional game. The NFC North is the best division in the NFL with all four teams having at least four wins. The Proof is in the pudding or the point differential as the entire NFC North holds the top four spots. Starting with the Vikings at +63 the Lions are right behind at +60 the Chicago Bears are 3rd at +47 and then the Packers are 4th at +41. The NFC North is not concerned with the smoke as they are the smoke.
After the first three weeks of the year, the Lions were averaging a mere 22 points per game. The last two weeks have seen the Lions explode for over 40 in each game. The Vikings are still around 28 points per game. There should be no shortage of offense in this game. These teams are built rather similarly as they both have really good offensive lines, the Lions might be the best in the NFL. Both teams have talented pass-catching tight ends that put stress on any defense. Sam Laporta for the Lions and T.J. Hockenson for the Vikings. Hockenson has been sidelined with a knee injury suffered last year against these very same Lions. Hockenson has been doing everything possible to be ready to play this game against the team that drafted him.
Adding Hockenson back into the Vikings’ offense will not only provide a spark but a new wrinkle to take away the defenses’ ability to key on Justin Jefferson. Speaking of Jefferson he is the Viking’s top wide receiver. He leads a talented group of pass catchers for the Vikings second-year receiver Jordan Addison is the Viking’s number two wideout and Jalen Nailor is emerging as the third favorite target of Sam Darnold. The Lions also have a bunch of great receivers. Amon-Ra St Brown is their top wideout. Jameson Williams is their number-two who is starting to get rolling after dealing with a knee injury early on and some off-the-field issues. The Lions have two impressive running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. The Vikings signed Aaron Jones this off-season to pair with Ty Chandler. The Vikings and Lions also have great defenses. Another similarity both these teams have a former top-five first-round draft pick cast aside leading their teams from the quarterback position. The Vikings have Sam Darnold and the Lions have Jared Goff.
The “Jets” Factor
Justin “Jets” Jefferson has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. Jefferson seems to get 100 yards receiving no matter what team he’s facing. Jefferson is especially effective against the Lions. He has played in eight games against the Lions he has 62 catches for 1,73 yards that’s an average of 134 and he has three touchdowns. Over the last three games against the Lions Jefferson has 556 yards receiving which is an average of a whopping 185 yards per game on 29 catches and two touchdowns. Jefferson is the face of the Vikings and the leader of the locker room he was publicly critical of the lack of offensive productivity against the Jets. Look for him and the Vikings to come out and set the tone early this Sunday at home and get the crowd amped and involved. Jefferson is going to go off for a huge game.
Final Thoughts
Jared Goff has been playing ridiculously well the last few weeks. During the Lion’s current winning streak, Goff has thrown seven touchdowns and only one interception. Goff has completed nearly 82% of his passes over the three games. Goff has cut down on throwing interceptions however, this Viking’s defense leads the league in interceptions with 11. Both of these offenses will put points on the board. The difference is going to come from the defensive side. The Vikings will beat the incredible o-line of the Lions and strip-sack Goff with a scoop and score or another Andrew Van Ginkel pick-six. This game will have it all a bit of a shoot-out and still, some dominant defense at times and probably a nail-biter photo finish. The final score will be 34-31 Vikings stay undefeated move to 6-0 and a two-game lead in the NFC North.
