The Viking Age
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5 keys to victory: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions in week 12

By Adam Carlson

Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr (55) during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) celebrates his interception during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) celebrates his interception during the third quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

#2. Take advantage of opportunities

For the most part, NFL teams rely on their offense to put points on the scoreboard. Whether it is through the air or on the ground, the easiest opportunities to get a touchdown comes with quarterbacks, running backs, and pass catchers.

But the Vikings aren’t your standard NFL team. They have been able to take advantage of several different ways of scoring this season, including big plays on special teams as well as defense.

Cordarrelle Patterson is one of only 5 players to return a kickoff for a score and has the best kick off return yardage per opportunity in the league. Marcus Sherels has scored twice on punt returns, and the only other player to do that this season is Detroit’s Andre Roberts. Their 3 return touchdowns this season put them at the top of the league in that category.

Sprinkle in three defensive touchdowns, and the Vikings have 6 touchdowns in 11 weeks from defense and special teams to help out an offense that tends to struggle at times. They may need that help against a Lions team they couldn’t put away earlier in the year.

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