5 bold Minnesota Vikings predictions for Week 16 vs. the Detroit Lions
By Chris Schad
2. Nick Mullens will throw two more interceptions
Stopping the Lions’ pass rush will be important because Mullens has continued to be a turnover machine when pressured in the pocket.
Mullens had an impressive game with 303 yards and two touchdowns against the Bengals last week, but the disappointing aspect was his turnovers. Mullens threw a pair of interceptions, and a key denominator in those poor decisions was his performance under pressure.
Only one of Mullens’ interceptions came while pressured, according to PFF, but he avoided a worse fate. On 12 pressured dropbacks, Mullens posted a big-time throw percentage of 11.1 percent, but he also had a 16.7 percent turnover-worthy play rate.
Such is life with Mullens, who owns a 13.3 percent turnover-worthy play rate during his NFL career. But even with Detroit safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson out, taking care of the football continues to be an issue and could doom the Vikings’ chances on Sunday.