Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: Preview and Where to Watch

Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin (12) points to the crowd following the game during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the 49ers 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

The 2-1 Vikings will try to keep the upset train rolling today in Ford Field against their division rivals the 1-2 Detroit Lions. Minnesota welcomes a new offensive weapon into the mix in the person of Jerome Simpson, who is free to play after serving his three-game suspension. Simpson joins playmaking receiver Percy Harvin and touchdown machine tight end Kyle Rudolph, and of course the great running back Adrian Peterson. The trigger man is Christian Ponder who after a stellar performance vs. San Francisco now must be considered one of the rising young good quarterbacks in the league.

The Vikings’ defense will face without doubt its biggest challenge of the year in the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is expected to play a week after suffering a lower-body injury vs. Tennessee. Stafford has multiple targets including arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Calvin Johnson. Detroit now also features a genuine workhorse running back in Mikel Leshoure. Minnesota will have to be at their best to slow down this dangerous offense. The defensive line is led by Jared Allen who last week got his first sack of the season. For the second straight week, Minnesota will be without starting WLB Erin Henderson. They will also be without starting safety Mistral Raymond.

Christian Ponder will face a Detroit front four that struggled last week against Tennessee, failing to get a sack on Jake Locker. Detroit’s secondary has also been poor, which bodes well for the Minnesota passing game. The Vikings offensive line was solid last week in containing San Francisco’s rush, but Detroit features much more of a speed rush that puts great pressure on the tackles. Phil Loadholt and Matt Kalil will have to be at their best to keep Christian Ponder clean.

Kick-off is 12 PM CT

The game will be televised in the Twin Cities on FOX KMSP-9 and on DirecTV channel 705.

The game will be broadcast on radio on KFAN 100.3 and across the Vikings radio network. Full list.

The game will be available on Sirius radio channel 106.

Like The Viking Age on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter.
Get the all-new FanSided iPhone app.
Want to blog about the Vikings? Fill out the blogger application and join the team. Serious homers, negative types, tape wonks and general wack-jobs all welcome.