Minnesota Vikings schedule: full game-by-game preview
By Dan Zinski
Week 9 vs Detroit Lions (Sunday Nov. 6, 12 PM CT, Fox)
The Vikings last year were dominant against Detroit, beating them 26-16 at home and then shredding them 28-19 at Ford Field. The way Minnesota abused Detroit’s offensive line and beat up QB Matthew Stafford was almost enough to make you feel sorry for the Lions. Almost.
Obviously, the Lions are in a huge transitional year after firing pretty much everyone except head coach Jim Caldwell and losing Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson. But don’t worry Lions fans, you replaced Calvin Johnson with former Bengals receiver Marvin Jones. No sweat!
The Vikings clearly won’t miss Calvin Johnson. But let’s be honest, even with Johnson on the field last year, the Vikings had little problem handling Detroit. Nothing the Lions have done this offseason convinces me that they will be a greater challenge for Minnesota in 2016.
Sorry Lions fans but I think you are going to have a long year. It wouldn’t shock me if Detroit ended up 4-12.