Post by Danchat on Nov 22, 2017 15:16:25 GMT -6
It's time for the rematch between the Vikings and the Lions, with the winner of this one having the best chance to win the NFC North. How have the Lions changed their roster since last time?
(I will now be including a frame around rookie players indicating how they've performed. You might notice MLB Jarrad Davis has a red outline around his cell.)
Injury Reports
-My thoughts-
Starting from the defensive side of things, the Lions have seen Anthony Zettel go from a unheralded sixth round rookie in 2016 to becoming one of the league's better pass rushers. He basically iced the first game as he sacked Keenum, causing a long 4th down that couldn't be made. The Vikings need to worry about him but they won't have to focus on Ezekiel Ansah, who's been banged up all season (he's questionable to play) and he hasn't been an effective pass rusher.
The Lions have a couple of major weaknesses in their front seven - with Haloti Ngata hitting the IR, their run-stopping abilities have waned drastically. Akeem Spence and Jeremiah Ledbetter have been rotating there but it hasn't really worked. Meanwhile, at linebacker, 1st round rookie Jarrad Davis has actually gotten worse as the season has gone along, as PFF rated him as the absolute worst LB in coverage and very poor at run stopping.
The Vikings will need to pick on those key weaknesses in the run game because the Lions defend the pass very well. Darius Slay is a top 5 CB and he's proven he can shut down WRs, and he'll probably cover Diggs (Thielen is usually in the slot, I don't think Slay plays slot corner. I could be wrong). Quandre Diggs has been a good #2 CB and they also have a top 5 rated safety in Glover Quin. I know Keenum likes to be aggressive, but I would recommend he only tries deep shots when Slay and Quin aren't in coverage in that area. Their nickel corner, Nevin Lawson, hasn't been very good and their primary SS Tavon Wilson has been poor at coverage. They need to be picked on often.
Finally, on offense, the Lions have gotten Taylor Decker back at LT. He was great in 2016 but he's had some rough plays in his first 99 snaps back from his injury. Hopefully Everson Griffen is 100% and he takes advantage of this matchup. Meanwhile on the O-line, Graham Glasgow has played much better at RG since the first time they faced the Vikes.
The Lions probably had their best running game against the Vikes back in week 3 as Ameer Abdullah had 94 yards rushing. Outside of that he's had a pitiful year running, going for just 491 yards in 10 games and hitting just 3.4 yards per carry. Even with a top 10 O-line, Abdullah just isn't cutting it. The Vikings need to shut down the run ASAP and hopefully leave him with a line like 11 carries for 22 yards like in last week's game against the Bears.
Any thoughts?
(I will now be including a frame around rookie players indicating how they've performed. You might notice MLB Jarrad Davis has a red outline around his cell.)
Injury Reports
Vikings Wednesday Injury Report
Out-
Doubtful-
Questionable- Robison, Remmers, Sendejo
Out-
Doubtful-
Questionable- Robison, Remmers, Sendejo
Lions Wednesday Injury Report
Out- Agnew, D. Washington
Doubtful-
Questionable- Ansah, Reeves-Maybin
Out- Agnew, D. Washington
Doubtful-
Questionable- Ansah, Reeves-Maybin
-My thoughts-
Starting from the defensive side of things, the Lions have seen Anthony Zettel go from a unheralded sixth round rookie in 2016 to becoming one of the league's better pass rushers. He basically iced the first game as he sacked Keenum, causing a long 4th down that couldn't be made. The Vikings need to worry about him but they won't have to focus on Ezekiel Ansah, who's been banged up all season (he's questionable to play) and he hasn't been an effective pass rusher.
The Lions have a couple of major weaknesses in their front seven - with Haloti Ngata hitting the IR, their run-stopping abilities have waned drastically. Akeem Spence and Jeremiah Ledbetter have been rotating there but it hasn't really worked. Meanwhile, at linebacker, 1st round rookie Jarrad Davis has actually gotten worse as the season has gone along, as PFF rated him as the absolute worst LB in coverage and very poor at run stopping.
The Vikings will need to pick on those key weaknesses in the run game because the Lions defend the pass very well. Darius Slay is a top 5 CB and he's proven he can shut down WRs, and he'll probably cover Diggs (Thielen is usually in the slot, I don't think Slay plays slot corner. I could be wrong). Quandre Diggs has been a good #2 CB and they also have a top 5 rated safety in Glover Quin. I know Keenum likes to be aggressive, but I would recommend he only tries deep shots when Slay and Quin aren't in coverage in that area. Their nickel corner, Nevin Lawson, hasn't been very good and their primary SS Tavon Wilson has been poor at coverage. They need to be picked on often.
Finally, on offense, the Lions have gotten Taylor Decker back at LT. He was great in 2016 but he's had some rough plays in his first 99 snaps back from his injury. Hopefully Everson Griffen is 100% and he takes advantage of this matchup. Meanwhile on the O-line, Graham Glasgow has played much better at RG since the first time they faced the Vikes.
The Lions probably had their best running game against the Vikes back in week 3 as Ameer Abdullah had 94 yards rushing. Outside of that he's had a pitiful year running, going for just 491 yards in 10 games and hitting just 3.4 yards per carry. Even with a top 10 O-line, Abdullah just isn't cutting it. The Vikings need to shut down the run ASAP and hopefully leave him with a line like 11 carries for 22 yards like in last week's game against the Bears.
Any thoughts?
... and neither is this Chris guy.