Week 2: Vikings Vs. Lions
September 18, 2009 on 11:19 am | In Uncategorized |After a disappointing week one loss, with the Lions inability to run, stop the run, and pressure the passer all brightly shining through, the Lions will be facing an old nemesis, Brett Favre, who is now leading a new team, but long time bitter division rival, in the Minnesota Vikings.
Defensively, as crazy as it seems, the Lions will likely attempt to clog the middle with an extra man in the tackle box, and put the game upon Brett Favre’s old, broken down shoulders. The Lions stand an infinitely better chance of hanging close by forcing Favre to make plays down the field and in play action, rather than allowing the NFL’s premier player, Adrian Peterson, to slice and dice through their papier mache defense.
The Vikings do have one major injury, starting guard Anthony Herrera has been limited in practice this week, but the Vikings should be able to continue business as usual offensively, if he is eventually unable to play.
Adrian Peterson will gain a 100+ yards against the Lions defense, without question. However, if the team can somehow keep him under 125 yards and fewer than three TD’s, and Brett Favre manages to throw a couple of ill-conceived passes into coverage, the Lions defense may actually keep the team in the ballgame.
My other primary concern, aside from a healthy return of Bernard Berrian, is that Percy Harvin could absolutely run wild on the Ford Field turf . There is no way to fully game plan for what Harvin could do, since the Vikings haven’t fully utilized his abilities, yet. Aside from Peterson, Harvin’s game-breaking speed and playmaking ability could rapidly turn this game into an ugly, embarrasing blow out.
On offense, memo to Matthew Stafford, ball control and safe plays are the order of the day. The Lions offensive line will be completely manhandled by the Vikings front seven. There is no shame in that, the Vikings may have the best front four in football. What the Lions need to be able to do is run the ball well enough, so that they can buy Matthew Stafford some time in the pocket, with play action passes and more dump off passes mixed in.
If there is ever going to be a game for Scott Linehan’s offense to be of benefit to the Lions, and for the anticipated emergence of first round tight end Brandon Pettigrew to occur, this is the game. The Vikings play a two deep zone, similar to the Lions Tampa-2 in recent seasons, and without ballhawking Darren Sharper patrolling the middle, the Lions may be able to exploit the middle of the field with timely passes to Pettigrew.
I want to believe that as close as the Lions played against the Vikings last year, that this game will remain close to the bitter end, and it could. Of course, providing Matthew Stafford limits the Lions turnovers and the Vikings additions of Brett Favre and Percy Harvin don’t prove to be too much for the Lions to overcome, as they seemingly will be.
At any rate, my gut feeling is that Peterson will put up 175 yards and three TD’s, with Percy Harvin enjoying a coming out party of sorts, meanwhile the Lions offense will continue to languish without a consistent running attack and Matthew Stafford’s continuing to complete too many passes to the guys not in Honolulu Blue, and too few to the guys wearing Honolulu Blue.
Vikings 31 Lions 13
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Hey sir,
just caught up with this site, hadn’t been up on things with the big move. a few things:
1. I totally disagree with you regarding Brandon Pettigrew. (I know this is from an earlier post, but I am doing it all in one). I mean, if any standout defensive players had been available at 20, then I think there absolutely would have been a need to draft them. But the only guy left was Peria Jerry, and I just don’t think he was a first round talent. Look, Schwartz and Mayhew are not stupid, they know this thing is 3 to 5 years away from being competitive. The lions literally needed everything on the board. To draft a so-so Dline talent just because it is a position of need is to fall into the millen trap. Constantly jumping from one foot to the other in terms of ‘target need’ and amassing a legion of mediocre players because they never took the BEST player available, but the player they thought would fill a need. Of course, the mediocre player fails to address the need and the team never gets better. Not to mention the horrible contracts the team gets saddled with. (see Gosder Cherilus, J. Dizon, etc.)
This year, I really think the lions just took the best player available, regardless of the position. They will draft high again next year, and if the Dline talent is there I am sure they’ll take it. If it isn’t there, they can build through free agency. The only reason the lions should ever avoid drafting the best player available is if the are STACKED, and I mean 2 or 3 deep at the position the best available prospect plays.
As far as Pettigrew being a bust or not, well, time will tell. I think he is a beast who just needs to catch up to the speed of the game after missing virtually all of camp. heck, he still prolly isnt a hundred percent. Quad problems linger and get re-injured forever.
2. Vikings game. I agree 100% on all points. We can’t stop anybody, and our offense is going to be hampered from playing from behind, having a limited playbook for stafford, having a poor Oline, and stafford’s continued growing pains. I know lots of the things on that list are kind of related but I am doing this fast and without revision.
The only thing the lions have going for them is that for whatever reason they usually play minnesota tough at home. not much to hold onto really.
ps - at least they didn’t draft jason smith like everybody wanted. or as i like to call him “Robert Gallery II”. an athletic, converted tight end who never played in the down position in college because of spread system. yuuuuk. enjoy that one st. louis. losers.
Comment by Billy B — September 18, 2009 #
to restate, pettigrew was a great decision because peria jerry would have been the gosder cherilus of the defensive line.
Pettigrew was easily the best player at his position in this draft and he will be a stud for years to come. can you really say that about peria jerry?
filling a need suggests a team has a few identifiable needs that they can address. the lions just need to keep amassing talent for 3 years or so, then maybe start drafting position. maybe.
Comment by Billy B — September 18, 2009 #
I would really like to feel better about the home opener, but unfortunately . . . well I can’t. I would like them to be able to play well for Ernie and for the memory of former Coach Monte Clark and longtime Lion great, Bob Kowalkowski. Mr. Kowalkowski spent more than a decade as one of the most durable guards in the NFL. He also lived and ran a business for a period in my hometown of West Branch after his retirement. I never knew him, but have one of his cards which was given to me by a buddy (Thanks Blogman) and my uncle, an acquaintance of Mr. Kowalkowski, got it signed for me a few years back.
Back to business . . .
Big Dave’s Vikings 31 (but with two picks on Favre).
Big Guy’s Lions 24
However, if they are going to win, it will be this game (and the Rams) and victory will not surprise me.
Comment by Yukon Dan — September 18, 2009 #
The Lions won the first half this week. I think Backus did a very good job against Jared Allen. The one sack Allen got was an unabated deal that looked like the running back was supposed to pick up but didn’t.
Comment by mike — September 21, 2009 #
Mike–The Lions did a credible job Sunday. It is sad that a couple of turnovers, a few penalties, and inexperience were the Lions undoing.
You are right the Jared Allen sack was a busted play, not entirely Backus’ fault.
Comment by Steve — September 23, 2009 #
Dan—Nice eulogy for Mr. Kowalkowski. It is sad to see, as we get older, that life really does end, and realize the fact that people who played with so much energy are not actually eternal, except in our hearts and minds. God Bless.
Comment by Steve — September 23, 2009 #
Billy–excellent comments! Your comparison of Jerry and Cherilus, is well-taken, and prescient, given the fact that Jerry is now out for the season after a severe injury.
In regards to Pettigrew, he played a much more significant role in last week’s loss and the Lions offensive line even looked better aside from some ill-timed penalties and the botched play by Backus and others on one of Jared Allen’s sacks.
I agree that you should draft pure talent over need. I guess I am not entirely sold on the talent of Pettigrew being substantially better than any number of players that could have been taken there, especially at a more compliementary rather than essential position.
At this point, it’s moot, since the Lions are saddled with Pettigrew, be he Pro Bowler, or just another schlub, while the team continues to build towards respectability, or hell, attempts to find a win.
Comment by Steve — September 23, 2009 #