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Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Betting Line: Lions -2
Detroit won for the 3rd-straight week with a 31-14 blasting of Jacksonville last week. Minnesota lost for the third time in their past four games with a 30-20 defeat at the hands of Seattle last Sunday. The Vikings won the Week 4 matchup 20-13.
The Lions struggled early in the season on offense because they couldn’t run the ball. They have had success in recent weeks as RB Mikel Leshoure has assumed the lead back role and is averaging better than four yards per carry. He scored three TDs last week and is also contributing in the passing game. RB Joique Bell has been a pleasant surprise and the Lions are averaging about 125 yards per game on the ground over the past four games. The Vikings allowed 195 yards rushing to Seattle last week and they can’t afford to drop a safety into the box as they need their secondary to contend with the Lions passing attack. QB Matthew Stafford has a very mediocre 8-7 TD/INT ratio but has played better over the past month. WR Calvin Johnson has only one TD reception this year but has caught 48 passes for 767 yards and will be targeted at least 10 times in this game. With WR Nate Burleson out for the year, WRs Titus Young and rookie WR Ryan Broyles have stepped up. The Vikings have picked off only four passes this season but they do have 24 sacks.
Minnesota’s offense took a big hit when they lost WR Percy Harvin last week to a sprained ankle. That severely limits what the Vikings can do on offense. RB Adrian Peterson had a monster game last week (17-182-2) and the Lions have to be prepared to get a heavy dose of Peterson all game. Detroit held the Jags to 64 yards on the ground but Minnesota is a different animal. The safeties will have to be involved in the run defense. QB Christian Ponder was a non-factor last week (11-22, 63 yards, 1 pick) and his play has suffered in recent weeks. He is being affected by pressure and was sacked four times by Seattle. Harvin had more than twice the receptions of any other Viking before being hurt and that has a very adverse affect on the passing game. TE Kyle Rudolph and WR Michael Jenkins are the top receiving options and neither will scare the Lions pass defense, which is much improved from 2011. Detroit doesn’t have one dynamic pass rusher but have done well as a group.
The Harvin injury has a huge effect on this game as he is clearly the best playmaker the Vikings have. He can run, catch and return kicks equally well. Peterson is a stud but Detroit should contain him as they know he will be the main focus. Detroit’s offense has improved with their new-found ground game and while Johnson hasn’t racked up TDs, he still moves the chains. The line is only two and we feel the Lions can get a big divisional road win.
Take the Lions
Betting Line: Lions -2
Detroit won for the 3rd-straight week with a 31-14 blasting of Jacksonville last week. Minnesota lost for the third time in their past four games with a 30-20 defeat at the hands of Seattle last Sunday. The Vikings won the Week 4 matchup 20-13.
The Lions struggled early in the season on offense because they couldn’t run the ball. They have had success in recent weeks as RB Mikel Leshoure has assumed the lead back role and is averaging better than four yards per carry. He scored three TDs last week and is also contributing in the passing game. RB Joique Bell has been a pleasant surprise and the Lions are averaging about 125 yards per game on the ground over the past four games. The Vikings allowed 195 yards rushing to Seattle last week and they can’t afford to drop a safety into the box as they need their secondary to contend with the Lions passing attack. QB Matthew Stafford has a very mediocre 8-7 TD/INT ratio but has played better over the past month. WR Calvin Johnson has only one TD reception this year but has caught 48 passes for 767 yards and will be targeted at least 10 times in this game. With WR Nate Burleson out for the year, WRs Titus Young and rookie WR Ryan Broyles have stepped up. The Vikings have picked off only four passes this season but they do have 24 sacks.
Minnesota’s offense took a big hit when they lost WR Percy Harvin last week to a sprained ankle. That severely limits what the Vikings can do on offense. RB Adrian Peterson had a monster game last week (17-182-2) and the Lions have to be prepared to get a heavy dose of Peterson all game. Detroit held the Jags to 64 yards on the ground but Minnesota is a different animal. The safeties will have to be involved in the run defense. QB Christian Ponder was a non-factor last week (11-22, 63 yards, 1 pick) and his play has suffered in recent weeks. He is being affected by pressure and was sacked four times by Seattle. Harvin had more than twice the receptions of any other Viking before being hurt and that has a very adverse affect on the passing game. TE Kyle Rudolph and WR Michael Jenkins are the top receiving options and neither will scare the Lions pass defense, which is much improved from 2011. Detroit doesn’t have one dynamic pass rusher but have done well as a group.
The Harvin injury has a huge effect on this game as he is clearly the best playmaker the Vikings have. He can run, catch and return kicks equally well. Peterson is a stud but Detroit should contain him as they know he will be the main focus. Detroit’s offense has improved with their new-found ground game and while Johnson hasn’t racked up TDs, he still moves the chains. The line is only two and we feel the Lions can get a big divisional road win.
Take the Lions