5 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions – Week 9
By Chris Schad
Jefferson and Thielen will get back on track
The Vikings may be obsessed with running the ball, but it doesn’t mean that the passing game will go completely dormant. Kirk Cousins attempted just 14 passes against the Packers last week and it may have given some Minnesota fans flashbacks of how Christian Ponder was mothballed toward the end of the 2012 season.
But one of the key factors in Sunday’s game was the wind and Mike Zimmer mentioned that he would have loved to have taken more shots off of play-action. This means that the Vikings could dial it up more frequently against Detroit on Sunday.
According to PFF’s matchup chart, Adam Thielen has the best matchup in the league on Sunday going up against Lions rookie cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. Justin Jefferson, who was quiet in the victory over the Packers as well, also has a great matchup this week against Amani Oruwariye.
If Minnesota can find a way to take advantage of these matchups, the air attack should be back in business on Sunday.