Detroit Lions Weblog

Week 9: Lions at Vikings

This is the type of game that the Lions should win. They are facing a team who has performed worse, had more intense internal strife, and suffered far more serious injuries (the loss of Culpepper) than them. That being said, the Lions have been horrible in recent years against the Vikings and also have a terrible record on the road in recent years. They also have the fact that Daunte Culpepper remains unbeaten against them hanging over their heads. If the Lions have any hope of salvaging their miniscule playoff aspirations they absolutely MUST win this game.

The matchups are favorable. Even with their increasingly injury depleted defense, the Lions have to be looking forward to facing the lead-footed Brad Johnson. Johnson, a capable vet, will not have the benefit of a strong rushing attack to help offset the Lions pass rushing attack. The Lions must contain RB’s Mewelde Moore and Michael Bennett in an attempt to create a lot of 3rd and Longs for Johnson. Johnson does have a slew of receivers that he can go to, which has to be a concern for the Lions with the injuries they have suffered in the secondary. In most cases, CB R. W. McQuarters will be covering either WR Marcus Robinson or Nate Burleson. FS Terrence Holt is very important in this game. The Vikings traditionally have been able to stretch the field against the Lions and the Lions can ill afford to allow any quick scores to Marcus Robinson, Troy Williamson or Travis Taylor. I expect that the Vikings will use multi-receiver sets to attempt to take advantage of CB’s Andre Goodman and Keith Smith. The Lions will also be without their Nickel Linebackers (Alex Lewis & Teddy Lehman) which means that H-Back Jermaine Wiggins could be a major factor on third downs for Brad Johnson. The Lions signed veteran LB Nate Wayne this week to help with their depth at Linebacker. The thing I can’t stress enough is that the Lions absolutely need to be relentless in their pressuring of Johnson. The Minnesota offense will be severely hindered if he doesn’t have the time to pick apart the Lions secondary.

On Offense, the Lions have to establish Kevin Jones this week. With the inside presence of NT Pat Williams and LB Sam Cowart, the Lions will have to look to go off-tackle with their rushing attack. The Vikings have recently converted to a 3-4, which the Lions were mildly successful against two weeks ago in Cleveland. The Lions also need to be more aggressive in the passing game with the return of WR Roy Williams. I think that Williams gives them the opportunity to stretch an opposing defense that has been lacking in recent weeks. WR Mike Williams needs to hang onto the ball if he wants to remain a presence in this offense. I am very excited about the continued development of Scottie Vines. He has developed into a reliable receiver in a short time. If the Lions coaching staff has any sense, they will not diminish his role with the return of Charles Rogers. The Lions punchless offense pre-determines that they need to preserve the ball (no turnovers), control the time clock and win the field position battle. If the Lions have to turn to Joey Harrington this Sunday, it is imperative that he not turn the ball over. I feel this is an excellent opportunity for Harrington, if he plays, he has a strong history against the Vikings. The Vikings will walk up their strong safety, Corey Chavous, into the box and again dare the Lions to beat them over the top. It is easier for opponents to blitz when they are closer to the line of scrimmage, so if Harrington is the QB he will have to do his best to remain poised.

I like the matchup of teams, I just wish that the Lions were going to be at Ford Field. The Lions, if they are ever going to improve, have to defeat a team who is struggling like the Vikings, even on the road. The Lions struggling offense makes their margin for error very slim. In turn, the Lions special teams and defense have an increased of pressure to perform well. The Lions offense should have one of it’s best games of the season. If it doesn’t, the Lions are in for a long afternoon. Edinger dashes the Lions meek playoff hopes yet again.

Paul Edinger 24 Jason Hanson 21