5 wild predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions
By Josh Zinger
After a two-game skid, the Minnesota Vikings are desperately seeking a win. Here are 5 WILD predictions for their divisional game against the Detroit Lions.
The Minnesota Vikings have been embarrassed the past two weeks, there’s no other way of stating it. The 21-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in week 7 was disappointing, but last week’s 20-10 loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears was simply unforgivable.
The Bears, who entered the game at 1-6, tied for the second-worst record in the NFL, were dominant in every phase of the game.
The offense struggled behind a patchwork offensive line, allowing five sacks and constant pressure. This statistic, via Pat Thurman of Pro Football Focus, perfectly summarizes the dismal performance upfront.
#Bears blitzed Bradford twice. The 4.8% blitz rate was the lowest for any team this season. They still got pressure on 38% of his dropbacks.
— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) November 1, 2016
However, the Vikings’ struggles extended beyond a predictably poor outing from the offensive line. Defensively, the Vikings were uncharacteristically poor. Mike Zimmer’s vaunted defense made Jordan Howard, a rookie running back drafted in the fifth round, look like Marshall Faulk under the primetime lights. Allowing 202 total yards and a touchdown on 30 touches from Howard, the Vikings had no answers all night.
For a game played on Halloween night, the game was fittingly terrifying for Vikings fans, who watched their Super Bowl aspirations start to slip away.
Many of the Vikings problems, such as the offensive line and nonexistent running game, just don’t appear to have imminent solutions. Nevertheless, the Vikings will seek answers this week, as they return home to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Detroit Lions.
This week’s NFC North matchup won’t be easy for the slumping Vikings, but it will be critical for them to get a win. Here are 5 WILD predictions for this week’s action: