5 Minnesota Vikings players to watch in Week 7 vs. Detroit Lions

Kyle Rudolph – TE

Fans of the Vikings have been waiting for Kyle Rudolph to have a breakout game. For whatever reason, targets just aren’t going his way. It’s fine if the Vikings keep winning, but eventually, Minnesota is going to need to use their tight ends to move the ball and put points on the board, maybe this week in Detroit will be the week Rudolph busts out.

It wouldn’t be unheard of for the veteran tight end to have a big game in Detroit. Rudolph has done it before. He’s had multiple two-touchdown games against the Lions in his career, and a few more where he’s hauled in up to nine balls. He’s kind of been a Lion killer or at least a Lion tamer in his Viking career.

The Vikings may need Rudolph to step up and produce this week. The Lions have one of the best corners in the league in Darius Slay. It’s entirely plausible that he shuts down Stefon Diggs or Thielen, whichever he ends up covering. Justin Coleman has been playing well and if he is able to slow down the other, then Cousins will need to look at his big tight end who should be a mismatch against any of the Lions linebackers who are attempting to cover him.

Mike Zimmer recently praised Rudolph’s blocking ability this season and said it’s his best blocking season to date. That’s all fine and dandy, but it’s time for Rudolph to do what the Vikings are paying him to do and that is to catch touchdowns.