Moonlight
Footballguy
Lions (5-7) being favored by 2.5 points over a 9-2 team is striking.
Until the Jax game the last time the Lions had outgained another team was week 3 vs the Vikes. In that game the Lions despite outgaining the Vikes the Lions found a way to beat themselves.
The Lions have been committing fewer penalties than their opponents. They are tied for 6th in the NFL for the fewest penalties. In their 12 games they have nine times committed fewer penalties than their opponent. For their last 6 games starting with Miami they have had fewer penalties. However, in the Vikes game the Lions were the more penalized team. Lions had 7 penalties, the Vikes 3.
Regarding penalties while the Lions are the 6th least penalized team, the Vikes are the 5th least penalized.
As to turnovers the Lions have recently been winning the turnover battle. Committing fewer turnovers in 5 of their last 6 games. They are tied for 13th in turnover differential at +1. However, the Vikes are third overall in turnover differential at +8
Based on turnovers and penalties the Vikings are a team that is not beating itself and helps to explain their good record. I would expect a hard-fought close game.
In the first game Hutchinson was neutralized by Darrisaw and the other Viking tackle. Hutchinson, however, had been injured in the previous game against Washington and was his least healthy. Darrisaw who is often ranked higher than Sewell may not play due to the concussion protocol.
Regarding Hutchinson he has played more snaps than any other rookie DL and more snaps than any other rookie defender outside of a couple of rookie DBs.
As was mentioned earlier Jefferson was very limited by Okudah in the first game but Theilen and Osborne hurt them badly. The improvements in the Lions pass defense including Jacobs' return should help.
However, Dalvin Cook always gashes the Lions and stopping him is key. Detroit is playing better run defense outside of Justin Fields and hopefully Cook can be checked.
Until the Jax game the last time the Lions had outgained another team was week 3 vs the Vikes. In that game the Lions despite outgaining the Vikes the Lions found a way to beat themselves.
The Lions have been committing fewer penalties than their opponents. They are tied for 6th in the NFL for the fewest penalties. In their 12 games they have nine times committed fewer penalties than their opponent. For their last 6 games starting with Miami they have had fewer penalties. However, in the Vikes game the Lions were the more penalized team. Lions had 7 penalties, the Vikes 3.
Regarding penalties while the Lions are the 6th least penalized team, the Vikes are the 5th least penalized.
As to turnovers the Lions have recently been winning the turnover battle. Committing fewer turnovers in 5 of their last 6 games. They are tied for 13th in turnover differential at +1. However, the Vikes are third overall in turnover differential at +8
Based on turnovers and penalties the Vikings are a team that is not beating itself and helps to explain their good record. I would expect a hard-fought close game.
In the first game Hutchinson was neutralized by Darrisaw and the other Viking tackle. Hutchinson, however, had been injured in the previous game against Washington and was his least healthy. Darrisaw who is often ranked higher than Sewell may not play due to the concussion protocol.
Regarding Hutchinson he has played more snaps than any other rookie DL and more snaps than any other rookie defender outside of a couple of rookie DBs.
As was mentioned earlier Jefferson was very limited by Okudah in the first game but Theilen and Osborne hurt them badly. The improvements in the Lions pass defense including Jacobs' return should help.
However, Dalvin Cook always gashes the Lions and stopping him is key. Detroit is playing better run defense outside of Justin Fields and hopefully Cook can be checked.
OK maybe not. Would have been a good $800 for what I consider two good seats in lousy weather. I could have scored a couple lousy seats for next week’s Jets game for around $260 (for 2.) Meh, tbh I’d rather go have a nice dinner. MetLife is a slog to get to from Brooklyn.
