After a much needed bye week, the undefeated Minnesota Vikings will host the high powered 4-1 Detroit Lions. I know it's only week 7, but this game will have huge implications for the division and playoff seeding. Last week, the Lions dismantled the Cowboys 47-9, forcing 5 turnovers. I don't think the Cowboys are very good this season, but that was an absolute beat down. This Vikings/Lions matchup is going to be slugfest and both teams need to come ready to play.
The Detroit Lions come into this matchup red hot, outscoring the Seahawks and Cowboys 89-38 in their last 2 games. QB Jared Goff has combined for 36/43 with 5td and 0int with an average passer rating of 154.8. It doesn't get any better than that for an NFL QB. They also have a dangerous running back duo in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery has now scored a TD in 8 straight games and Gibbs can break out for a huge play at any moment with his lightning fast speed and change of direction. HC Dan Campbell loves to go for it on 4th down. In fact, the Lions go for it on 4th down more than any other team in the NFL, over the past 2 seasons. They also love their trick plays, something the Vikings defense will have to be ready for. Finally, the Lions defense is playing very good football after turning the Cowboys over 5 times. Unfortunately for the Lions, they will be without the best defensive player in the NFL, Aidan Hutchinson, for the remainder of the season. The edge rusher broke his leg last week on one of the most gruesome injuries I've seen since Nick Chubb injured his knee last season. Don't look up either of these replays. Prayers up for a speedy recovery for Hutchinson, you hate to see a star player (or any player) get injured like that. The Lions will also be without DT Kyle Peko, LB Derrick Barnes, DE Marcus Davenport, possibly CB Carlton Davis, and possibly DB Brian Branch.
The Vikings are off to a stellar start this season. Having one of the toughest schedules to begin the 2024 season, the Vikings have started 5-0 with a league leading +63 point differential (Lions are 2nd at +60). In fact, the Vikings have only trailed for 3 minutes and 26 seconds this year. Since the 1970 NFL merger, this is what the following teams have done with the least amount of time trailing through 5 games:
2009 Saints trailed for 0:00 (through 5 games) - Won Super Bowl
1984 Dolphins trailed for 1:07 - Lost Super Bowl
2023 49ers trailed for 1:45 - Lost Super Bowl
1999 Rams trailed for 2:30 - Won Super Bowl
1998 Broncos trailed for 4:23 - Won Super Bowl
Only time will tell how far the 2024 Minnesota Vikings will go, but this definitely feels like a magical season in the making.
Here are some Vikings game notes:
Sam Darnold is playing his best football. As I talked about in my previous Vikings post, Darnold gutted it out to help secure a victory for the Vikings. He was absolutley playing hurt, but that just shows his leadership and drive to want to compete and take advantage of this incredible opportunity he is finally getting to have success in the NFL.
Through 8 games in his career against the Lions, Justin Jefferson has 62 receptions, 1,073 yards, and 3 TD. He will look to add on to those already incredible statistics and help lead the Vikings to victory. 1,073 yards against one franchise in a player's first 8 games against that franchise is the most yardage in NFL history.
Under HC Kevin O'Connell, the Vikings are currently 2-0 coming out of the bye week, with 2 very different kinds of victories. In 2022, the Vikings beat the Cardinals 34-26. In 2023, the Vikings beat the Raiders 3-0. I think this upcoming Sunday will have a score that is closer to the 2022 outcome. KOC and Flores will have the Vikings ready to play.
LB Blake Cashman (turf toe) will likely miss the next 2 games. This will hurt, but veteran LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, who already has 2 INT on the season, should be able to hold his own next to LB Ivan Pace Jr over the next 2 games.
RB Aaron Jones (hip/hamstring) is questionable/likely to play. The Vikings traded for RB Cam Akers this week, but this was more of a necessary move to give us a 3rd RB for the rest of the season. If Jones misses the Lions game, Ty Chandler and Cam Akers will have to step up in his place.
TE TJ Hockenson (coming off IR) will make his season debut against the Lions or the Rams.
Prediction: I believe the Vikings will come out hot again this week, as they have done in every game this season. The Lions will punch back because both of these teams are very solid. The Vikings will finish the game with a slight turnover differential advantage and will win 31-27, after making a late field goal to take a 4 point lead and ending the game by picking off Jared Goff as the Lions go for a game winning touchdown. The Lions are coming off a very emotional victory and could be a let down game for them. Let's go, Vikings! We want 6-0!
Blog Update: This is Birdman's Blog's 150th article posted! Seems like just yesterday when I started this website.
I can’t wait for Sunday! Game of the weeeeeeek! Barooooooo!
SKOL!