Post by Danchat on Nov 2, 2018 20:27:20 GMT -6
The Lions and Vikings are coming off of 10+ point losses at home and need to gain some momentum. The Vikings need a win to stay above .500 before their bye, and a 3-5 record would make it difficult for the Lions to reemerge in the NFC race. Both teams need this win badly, so let's see how good the Lions roster is looking:
*My Thoughts*
The Vikings have a chance to have more players ready than were for the Saints matchup. Rhodes, Cook, Diggs, and Reiff are expected to play, and Sendejo might play. The Lions are reasonably healthy with Ansah finally making a [possible] return to the lineup.
The Lions' main threat is their offense, because the defense has left a lot to be desired so far. Stafford is still a top 15 QB but has had some games that looked like they came from Jay Cutler. He usually thrives against Zimmer's defense compared to most QBs. Rookie Kerryon Johnson has been explosive and looks like a legitimate starter, but the Lions have wasted carries on Blount and it sounds like a now-healthy Theo Riddick will play passing downs... they need to play Johnson whenever possible, but I think they won't use him as effectively as they could.
One of the main storylines for this game is that Golden Tate has been traded away. The Lions still have two good starters - Marvin Jones, who shredded Xavier Rhodes last time they faced off, and Kenny Golladay, a tall and sure-handed sophomore who should only get better. PFF loved what TJ Jones did last season, but I don't think he's quite as good as they say. They have nothing at TE - Willson is a poor player, Toilolo is a blocker only, and Roberts has a little receiving ability.
The Lions have a good offensive line on paper, but the Vikings defense was able to beat them up last season. Ricky Wagner is one of the better RTs in football, but Danielle Hunter kicked his butt in 2017. Taylor Decker isn't quite as good as he was in his rookie season. 1st round rookie Frank Ragnow is an average guard right now. Lang is a top 15-20 guard in the NFL.
Matt Patricia's defense has left a lot to be desired, however. Their premier pass rusher, Ezekiel Ansah, has only played 19 snaps due to injury. Even if he returns, it's hard to say if he'll be 100%. OLB Devon Kennard has been helping out as a pass rusher with 5 sacks and MLB Davis has 3. However, their run defense and coverage has been putrid, as Davis has probably been the NFL's worst cover LB since the start of 2017. Their 3rd LB, Christian Jones, is possibly worse than Davis.
The Lions did acquire Damon Harrison, who has been a top 5 DT for many years now. That didn't help the Lions against Chris Carson and the 'Hawks last week, though. Detroit needs to surround him with better run stuffers. Jean-Francois and Robinson have been rotating, but Robinson is the far superior player.
Finally, for the secondary, stud CB Darius Slay has been poorly rated by PFF this year. He's ranked 51st out of 110 CBs, which shocks me, as whenever I've seen him play, he's dominant. I'd avoid his coverage and pick on the inept Nevin Lawson and 110th rated slot CB Teez Tabor. Tabor looks like a blown 2nd round pick, and I remember wanting to avoid drafting him in 2017 due to his 4.62 '40 and other reasons. Glover Quin was a top 10 safety in 2017 according to PFF, but now he's ranked 76th out of 87. Quandre Diggs has transitioned over from slot CB, and he's been just OK.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Lions 21
Who knows which Lions team will show up, but I think the Vikings will play better football against an inferior opponent. The Saints were much better and the Vikings could have made it close if it weren't for the turnovers, so if they can hang on to the ball, I like our chances.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Vikings
LB Barr - Out
LG Compton - Out
HB Cook - Questionable
WR Diggs - Questionable
LT Reiff - Questionable
CB Rhodes - Questionable
SS Sendejo - Questionable
HB Thomas - Out
Lions
DE Ansah - Questionable
RG Lang - Questionable
LB Reeves-Maybin - Doubtful
CB Slay - Questionable
Vikings
LB Barr - Out
LG Compton - Out
HB Cook - Questionable
WR Diggs - Questionable
LT Reiff - Questionable
CB Rhodes - Questionable
SS Sendejo - Questionable
HB Thomas - Out
Lions
DE Ansah - Questionable
RG Lang - Questionable
LB Reeves-Maybin - Doubtful
CB Slay - Questionable
*My Thoughts*
The Vikings have a chance to have more players ready than were for the Saints matchup. Rhodes, Cook, Diggs, and Reiff are expected to play, and Sendejo might play. The Lions are reasonably healthy with Ansah finally making a [possible] return to the lineup.
The Lions' main threat is their offense, because the defense has left a lot to be desired so far. Stafford is still a top 15 QB but has had some games that looked like they came from Jay Cutler. He usually thrives against Zimmer's defense compared to most QBs. Rookie Kerryon Johnson has been explosive and looks like a legitimate starter, but the Lions have wasted carries on Blount and it sounds like a now-healthy Theo Riddick will play passing downs... they need to play Johnson whenever possible, but I think they won't use him as effectively as they could.
One of the main storylines for this game is that Golden Tate has been traded away. The Lions still have two good starters - Marvin Jones, who shredded Xavier Rhodes last time they faced off, and Kenny Golladay, a tall and sure-handed sophomore who should only get better. PFF loved what TJ Jones did last season, but I don't think he's quite as good as they say. They have nothing at TE - Willson is a poor player, Toilolo is a blocker only, and Roberts has a little receiving ability.
The Lions have a good offensive line on paper, but the Vikings defense was able to beat them up last season. Ricky Wagner is one of the better RTs in football, but Danielle Hunter kicked his butt in 2017. Taylor Decker isn't quite as good as he was in his rookie season. 1st round rookie Frank Ragnow is an average guard right now. Lang is a top 15-20 guard in the NFL.
Matt Patricia's defense has left a lot to be desired, however. Their premier pass rusher, Ezekiel Ansah, has only played 19 snaps due to injury. Even if he returns, it's hard to say if he'll be 100%. OLB Devon Kennard has been helping out as a pass rusher with 5 sacks and MLB Davis has 3. However, their run defense and coverage has been putrid, as Davis has probably been the NFL's worst cover LB since the start of 2017. Their 3rd LB, Christian Jones, is possibly worse than Davis.
The Lions did acquire Damon Harrison, who has been a top 5 DT for many years now. That didn't help the Lions against Chris Carson and the 'Hawks last week, though. Detroit needs to surround him with better run stuffers. Jean-Francois and Robinson have been rotating, but Robinson is the far superior player.
Finally, for the secondary, stud CB Darius Slay has been poorly rated by PFF this year. He's ranked 51st out of 110 CBs, which shocks me, as whenever I've seen him play, he's dominant. I'd avoid his coverage and pick on the inept Nevin Lawson and 110th rated slot CB Teez Tabor. Tabor looks like a blown 2nd round pick, and I remember wanting to avoid drafting him in 2017 due to his 4.62 '40 and other reasons. Glover Quin was a top 10 safety in 2017 according to PFF, but now he's ranked 76th out of 87. Quandre Diggs has transitioned over from slot CB, and he's been just OK.
Prediction: Vikings 30, Lions 21
Who knows which Lions team will show up, but I think the Vikings will play better football against an inferior opponent. The Saints were much better and the Vikings could have made it close if it weren't for the turnovers, so if they can hang on to the ball, I like our chances.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.