Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions: 5 Predictions

Tomorrow, the Minnesota Vikings are scheduled to take on the Detroit Lions at TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota. While anything can happen in the NFL, I thought I’d give my try at predicting what will happen in Sunday’s game.

Here are my 5 predictions for the Vikings week 6 game:

Sep 28, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) throws a pass in practice before the game with the Atlanta Falcons at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater throws his first NFL touchdown pass. That’s right, Teddy Bridgewater will get his first touchdown pass against the NFL’s #1 defense. Up until now, his passes have lead the Minnesota Vikings up to the goal line and the team has punched it in on the ground. TCF Bank Stadium should explode in ovation when this happens!

The Lions will dominate the Minnesota Vikings offensive line. It’s no secret that the Vikings offensive line is struggling. Right guard Brandon Fusco is out due to injury, Charlie Johnson isn’t an NFL caliber starter and Matt Kalil has been struggling. When facing the Detroit defensive line with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, the interior of the offensive line could give up a lot of pressures and plug that Vikings run game.

Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) does a celebration dance after a big play during the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field. Bills beat the Lions 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Golden Tate will be the game’s leader in receiving yards. A lot of Vikings fans think that because Calvin Johnson will most likely not play that things will be easy on the Minnesota pass defense. That’s simply not true. The Lions have a lot of great receiving options including former Seattle Seahawk Golden Tate and Reggie Bush (or Bell/Winn if he is unable to play). They’re a more dangerous group than most would think.

The Minnesota Vikings will fail to get Cordarrelle Patterson involved again. Patterson is dealing with a hip injury and won’t see the kind of manufactured touches that fans were hoping for. Instead, we’ll see him used in the passing game, but only see 5 or less targets thrown his way and he will only see 3 or less of those caught.

Jan 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater (5) against the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The game will come down to field goals. Recently signed Lions kicker Matt Prater should find himself able to put a lot of points on the board for the Lions. Detroit’s recent losses have been because of poor kicking that could have given the Lions a couple more wins this year if it was a more solid player. Prater provides a BOOMING leg and the kind of consistency that teams want in a kicker…especially when that kicker holds the NFL record for the longest field goal ever made. Meanwhile, Blair Walsh is known by Vikings fans for his big leg, but has shown some struggles recently. Kicking could be the difference in this game.

What do you think of my predictions? Do you have any predictions of your own for Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions? Let me know in the comments.

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