Post by Danchat on Nov 6, 2020 22:17:45 GMT -6
The Vikings have a chance to get out of last place with a win against the Lions. Will Detroit be able to get their first win against the Vikings in 3 years, and stay relevant in the playoff race, or while the Vikings finally get some momentum going? Let's see how Detroit's roster looks.
Injury Report
Vikings
CB Hill - Out
CB Fields - Out
CB Dantzler - Out
CB Hand - Questionable
LB Davis - COVID
Lions
WR Golladay - Out
KR Agnew - Out
FS Walker - Out
G Dahl - Questionable
LB Jones - Questionable
CB Roberts - Questionable
RT Vaitai - Questionable
Line: None (line was taken down after Stafford was placed on the COVID list)
*My Thoughts*
The virus continues to spread over the NFL, and the Lions could potentially be without Matt Stafford. He did not actually test positive but was in contact with someone who did, so there is a decent chance he gets activated for Sunday. He's had a quality season so far, but the Lions offense has been a bit below average on a whole. The running game has been a perennial disappointment, and this year they've given the ball to our old pal Adrian Peterson too much. After running for 114 yards to start the year against the Bears and Packers, he's averaged 2.9 YPC in the 5 games since. They should focus on giving the explosive 2nd round rookie D'Andre Swift the ball, as he's a threat to break long runs and is a weapon in the passing game. They should lean on him more especially with their top WR Golladay out. Marvin Jones has been lightly used this year as the #2 WR, and hasn't been getting open as much as he used to. Amendola is still going at age 34 and is still a fine slot option, averaging 18 yards a catch. Marvin Hall had a 114 yard game last week as a deep threat. He's a one-trick pony in that regard, but the Vikings have been vulnerable to that. TE T. J. Hockenson is developing into a good TE, and has become a quality intermediate and red zone weapon. PFF has him graded as a top 10 TE this year.
As for the offensive line, the Lions are decent across the board. LT Decker is having a career yard thus far, grading elite in the pass blocking game, and C Ragnow is grading elite in the run blocking game. Jonah Jackson is a 3rd round rookie who was plugged in at LG and has been a bit below average, and is a stronger pass blocker. Joe Dahl took over the RG job last week, and has been the definition of an average guard over his career. RT "Big V" has been the line's weak point, allowing too much pressure and not run blocking well either.
The Lions' weakness is the defense yet again, as HC Matt Patricia has been incapable of getting this unit to be even average. They're acquired our old friend Everson Griffen for cheap - it's not for certain that he will start, as he was only playing 55% of Dallas' snaps, and was having a decent season. He will be motivated, but the Lions don't have much around him. DE Romeo Okwara is the only other threat on their line, as he's had 5 sacks and 6 TFL. They just lost DE Trey Flowers to the IR, which is a big hit for them. NT Danny Shelton is a strong run defender, but will provide zero pressure on the QB. They will also rotate Nick Williams (had a career game vs the Vikings in Soldier Field in 2019) and rookie John Penisini, but neither have done much. DE Da'Shawn Hand may play more than Griffen, and has been an effective rotational pass rusher.
Similarly to Patricia's defenses in New England, Detroit will show many 3-4 looks in base defensive sets. He likes to use LB Christian Jones as an edge defender, but unfortunately for him, Jones is in the midst of another poor season. LB Jamie Collins, a weapon he loved to use with the Patriots, is an every-down backer who will be all over the field making tackles. He isn't rushing the passer as much as he used to, but he's been a great run defender. MLB Jarrad Davis is on the COVID list, but he's actually been phased out of the defense recently in favor of Reggie Ragland. The 255 lbs LBer is known for his run defense, but PFF says that he's struggling there, but doing better vs the pass. Sophomore Jahlani Tavai currently has a PFF grade lower than even G Dru Samia - a putrid 29.3.
The Lions have been getting torn up through the air, and they have a whopping 13 DBs on the team. Jeffery Okudah, the 3rd overall pick, is being welcomed into the NFL by getting torn apart week in and week out. He currently has an Abysmal score. Veteran Desmond Trufant has been hurt most this season, but he had a quality 2019 season before getting cut by the Falcons. Amani Oruwariye, a 5th rounder from 2019, has taken his place and has struggled. Justin Coleman, the NFL's highest paid slot CB, had a terrible 2019 and has had his role scaled back, but he's still not doing well. FS Tracy Walker is out, and another old friend of ours, Jayron Kearse, will replace him. Kearse seemed to always make plays and be in position to cover when with the Vikings, so this may not be such a big hit for Detroit. Harmon is a fine SS who's about the 6th former Patriot on this team.
Prediction: Coming soon!
I can't predict the outcome of this game with Stafford's status unknown. I will do so by Sunday morning, but as it stands, I have this as a very close game if Matt plays. I want to lean Vikings since Patricia has been outcoached every time he's played the Vikings, despite having a few decent pieces on defense. The Lions don't have the personnel or coaching to take on Cook, Jefferson, and Thielen, but should put some points up on a battered Vikings defense. If Chase Daniel starts at QB, I see little hope for the Lions.
-- Update --
Prediction: Vikings 26, Lions 23
Stafford will play and should keep this game close for Detroit, but the Vikings are the better team with better coaching, and should be able to win this one out.
Any thoughts?
Injury Report
Vikings
CB Hill - Out
CB Fields - Out
CB Dantzler - Out
CB Hand - Questionable
LB Davis - COVID
Lions
WR Golladay - Out
KR Agnew - Out
FS Walker - Out
G Dahl - Questionable
LB Jones - Questionable
CB Roberts - Questionable
RT Vaitai - Questionable
Line: None (line was taken down after Stafford was placed on the COVID list)
*My Thoughts*
The virus continues to spread over the NFL, and the Lions could potentially be without Matt Stafford. He did not actually test positive but was in contact with someone who did, so there is a decent chance he gets activated for Sunday. He's had a quality season so far, but the Lions offense has been a bit below average on a whole. The running game has been a perennial disappointment, and this year they've given the ball to our old pal Adrian Peterson too much. After running for 114 yards to start the year against the Bears and Packers, he's averaged 2.9 YPC in the 5 games since. They should focus on giving the explosive 2nd round rookie D'Andre Swift the ball, as he's a threat to break long runs and is a weapon in the passing game. They should lean on him more especially with their top WR Golladay out. Marvin Jones has been lightly used this year as the #2 WR, and hasn't been getting open as much as he used to. Amendola is still going at age 34 and is still a fine slot option, averaging 18 yards a catch. Marvin Hall had a 114 yard game last week as a deep threat. He's a one-trick pony in that regard, but the Vikings have been vulnerable to that. TE T. J. Hockenson is developing into a good TE, and has become a quality intermediate and red zone weapon. PFF has him graded as a top 10 TE this year.
As for the offensive line, the Lions are decent across the board. LT Decker is having a career yard thus far, grading elite in the pass blocking game, and C Ragnow is grading elite in the run blocking game. Jonah Jackson is a 3rd round rookie who was plugged in at LG and has been a bit below average, and is a stronger pass blocker. Joe Dahl took over the RG job last week, and has been the definition of an average guard over his career. RT "Big V" has been the line's weak point, allowing too much pressure and not run blocking well either.
The Lions' weakness is the defense yet again, as HC Matt Patricia has been incapable of getting this unit to be even average. They're acquired our old friend Everson Griffen for cheap - it's not for certain that he will start, as he was only playing 55% of Dallas' snaps, and was having a decent season. He will be motivated, but the Lions don't have much around him. DE Romeo Okwara is the only other threat on their line, as he's had 5 sacks and 6 TFL. They just lost DE Trey Flowers to the IR, which is a big hit for them. NT Danny Shelton is a strong run defender, but will provide zero pressure on the QB. They will also rotate Nick Williams (had a career game vs the Vikings in Soldier Field in 2019) and rookie John Penisini, but neither have done much. DE Da'Shawn Hand may play more than Griffen, and has been an effective rotational pass rusher.
Similarly to Patricia's defenses in New England, Detroit will show many 3-4 looks in base defensive sets. He likes to use LB Christian Jones as an edge defender, but unfortunately for him, Jones is in the midst of another poor season. LB Jamie Collins, a weapon he loved to use with the Patriots, is an every-down backer who will be all over the field making tackles. He isn't rushing the passer as much as he used to, but he's been a great run defender. MLB Jarrad Davis is on the COVID list, but he's actually been phased out of the defense recently in favor of Reggie Ragland. The 255 lbs LBer is known for his run defense, but PFF says that he's struggling there, but doing better vs the pass. Sophomore Jahlani Tavai currently has a PFF grade lower than even G Dru Samia - a putrid 29.3.
The Lions have been getting torn up through the air, and they have a whopping 13 DBs on the team. Jeffery Okudah, the 3rd overall pick, is being welcomed into the NFL by getting torn apart week in and week out. He currently has an Abysmal score. Veteran Desmond Trufant has been hurt most this season, but he had a quality 2019 season before getting cut by the Falcons. Amani Oruwariye, a 5th rounder from 2019, has taken his place and has struggled. Justin Coleman, the NFL's highest paid slot CB, had a terrible 2019 and has had his role scaled back, but he's still not doing well. FS Tracy Walker is out, and another old friend of ours, Jayron Kearse, will replace him. Kearse seemed to always make plays and be in position to cover when with the Vikings, so this may not be such a big hit for Detroit. Harmon is a fine SS who's about the 6th former Patriot on this team.
Prediction: Coming soon!
I can't predict the outcome of this game with Stafford's status unknown. I will do so by Sunday morning, but as it stands, I have this as a very close game if Matt plays. I want to lean Vikings since Patricia has been outcoached every time he's played the Vikings, despite having a few decent pieces on defense. The Lions don't have the personnel or coaching to take on Cook, Jefferson, and Thielen, but should put some points up on a battered Vikings defense. If Chase Daniel starts at QB, I see little hope for the Lions.
-- Update --
Prediction: Vikings 26, Lions 23
Stafford will play and should keep this game close for Detroit, but the Vikings are the better team with better coaching, and should be able to win this one out.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.