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Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Scouting report, prediction
2:58 PM, September 29, 2012
By Dave Birkett
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer
Lions' run offense vs. Vikings' run defense
Mikel Leshoure gave the Lions running game a big lift last week, rushing for 100 yards on 26 carries in his first career game. The heavy workload left Leshoure with a sore groin this week, but hell start again and remains the Lions feature back. With defenses honed in on Calvin Johnson, running lanes have been plentiful for the Lions in the first three weeks.
The Vikings give up just 95.3 rushing yards per game, but theyve had mixed success against Maurice Jones-Drew (77 yards in his first game back from a preseason holdout) and Frank Gore (63 yards last week, but 5.3 per carry). Chad Greenways been dominant so far at linebacker.
Edge: Vikings
Lions' pass offense vs. Vikings' pass defense
He might not be 100%, but Matthew Stafford (hip) will be on the field today and thats good news for a Lions offense thats started slow all year. Stafford is completing nearly 70% of his passes on the season, but he needs to take more shots deep to force the Lions offensive agenda.
Johnson leads the league with 369 receiving yards, and he can count on one hand how many times hes been single-covered this year. The Vikings will have their hands full with Johnson, which should give Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler room to make plays.
Jared Allen always seems to have a good day rushing against the Lions, but the Vikings dont have much in their defensive backfield.
Edge: Lions
Vikings' run offense vs. Lions' run defense
Adrian Peterson isnt quite nine months removed from surgery to repair a torn left ACL, and other than missing some quickness on cuts to the left he looks back to form. Peterson carried 25 times for 86 yards last week against a stingy 49ers defense and averages 5.3 yards a carry against the Lions for his career. The Lions have held three pretty talented backs Steven Jackson, Frank Gore and Chris Johnson under 100 yards rushing the last three weeks thanks to a linebacking corps that Peterson called underrated and one of the best in the league.
Receiver Percy Harvin will get carries out of the backfield and on reverses, too, and hes a threat to go the distance on any play.
Edge: Vikings
Vikings' pass offense vs. Lions' pass defense
The Vikings have put second-year quarterback Christian Ponder in a position to succeed this year with lots of high-percentage passes and good protection up front. Hes responded with three clean games and is one of three qualified passers without an interception this year.
Harvin leads the league with 27 catches and has been a staple of Minnesota gameplans this year, but tight end Kyle Rudolph is Ponders security blanket.
The Lions didnt register a sack last week for the first time since 2009. Theyll be without one of their top pass rushers, tackle Corey Williams today. But end Cliff Avril, who has 5 1/2 sacks in five career games against the Vikings, is more than capable of picking up the slack.
Edge: Lions
Special teams
Harvin is one of the most dynamic return men in the game and the Vikings are sound on special teams all the way around. Kicker Blair Walsh has made all seven of his field-goal attempts, including three of 50-plus yards.
The Lions allowed long kick- and punt-return touchdowns last week. They welcome back punter Nick Harris, and have kept Jason Hanson busy with lots of field-goal tries early in games.
Edge: Vikings
Overall
The Vikings are tied for first place in the NFC North, the Lions last. Whod have guessed that would be the case a month ago?
Minnesota opened some eyes with last weeks upset of the 49ers, but the Vikings arent as good as they looked. Defensively, Allen and Kevin Williams give them a dominant pairing up front, but they dont have the talent to match up with Stafford, Johnson and the Lions passing game.
The Lions have their own holes on defense, but as long as they keep Peterson in check they should be OK. Their biggest challenge might be trying to respond from last weeks gut-wrenching loss at Tennessee.
Pick: Lions 31, Vikings 17
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings: Scouting report, prediction | Detroit Lions | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
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I predict that the Lions will get off their sorry ass' and hand the Vikings a beat down that they have yet to see this season.
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