5 things to know about the Vikings and Lions for Week 9
By Dustin Baker
What are some stats to know about the Minnesota Vikings matchup with the Detroit Lions in Week 9?
Last week’s edition of this article contained several statistics and facts that implied the Green Bay Packers would probably topple the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. Green Bay was favored by anywhere from five to seven points depending on the sportsbook. But that spread did not matter.
The Vikings scripted their finest game of the 2020 season in stunning the Packers by a score of 28-22. Oddly, Green Bay wasn’t beset by poor play, either. The Vikings just played damn well. Minnesota did not turn the football over, played some stout second-half defense, and Dalvin Cook authored one of the best individual performances in franchise history.
Suddenly, Mike Zimmer’s Vikings are optimistic again. Minnesota is 2.5 games out of the seventh playoff spot in the NFC. The mindset is now, “If we can beat the Packers at Lambeau, we can defeat anybody.”
That’s the mentality that will be needed should the Vikings have visions of January football. The schedule gets significantly easier, too. Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, and Carolina are on the horizon. A win streak may be in the cocoon, and a win versus the Lions will go a long way in upping the excitement for Vikings loyalists. If these Vikings are “back,” they must soundly win in Week 9.
As a handbook of sorts, here are five things to know about the Vikings and Lions heading into their Week 9 matchup.