With the exception of the Green Bay Packers, NFC North was hammered in Week 1. The Detroit Lions failed to seal a victory on the road in San Diego, allowing a double digit lead to slip away in a 33-28 loss Sunday. A day later, the Minnesota Vikings failed to get one on the win column at San Francisco. The Vikings had a disappointing opener with Adrian Peterson back on the field, scoring on just one field goal in a 20-3 loss.
The Lions and Vikings now meet in a crucial divisional showdown. Being buried in an early 0-2 hole will be difficult to get over with each team having tough matchups on the horizon. Read on for everything you need to know heading into this game.
There’s enough football to satisfy your cravings for gridiron action. The Seahawks vs. Packers Sunday Night Football game cannot be missed, while the Colts vs. Jets Monday night showcase should provide fireworks.
[sc:Football ]Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings Preview
Where: TCF Bank Stadium, Minnesota
When: Sunday, September 20, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Detroit Lions (+3) at Minnesota Vikings (-3); total: 43.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: FOX
Betting on the Detroit Lions
[sc:NFL240banner ]The Detroit Lions were dominant in the first half of their season opener at San Diego, roaring to a 21-10 lead. Rookie running back Ameer Abdullah scored on a 24-yard run in the first quarter, free safety Glover Quin returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown and tight end Eric Ebron scored on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford. But the Lions struggled in the second half, allowing the Chargers to stage the comeback.
Stafford threw two of his interceptions in the second half. He went 19 for 30 for 246 yards with two touchdowns and the two interceptions. The Lions quarterback could rebound nicely against Minnesota. He threw for 338 yards and two touchdowns in sweeping the Vikings last season but was sacked four times in those games.
Here’s where Abdullah comes in. The rookie running back should give the Lions a rushing threat to draw pressure away from Stafford. Abdullah could be up for a big game after seeing the Vikings give up 230 rushing yards and two scores against San Francisco on Monday night.
Setting up a disruptive pass rush on the other side of the ball could also help the Lions. Minnesota quarterback Teddy Bridgewater wasn’t too comfortable in the pocket against the 49ers’ defense in Week 1; he was 4 of 7 for 21 yards with an interception and took two sacks against the blitz.
Detroit defensive linemen Phillip Hunt, Tyrunn Walker, Ezekiel Ansah and Jermelle Cudjo each had QB hits in Week 1. Hunt and Ansah each had a sack to lead the Lions pass rush. They should be able to put some consistent pressure on Bridgewater to make some timely miscues. Free safety Quin and cornerback Darius Slay are capable of forcing turnovers on those miscues after each intercepting a pass in Week 1.
The Lions have won four of their last seven games against Minnesota, going 2-5 against the spread.
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Betting on the Minnesota Vikings
Adrian Peterson’s return after missing the last 15 games of 2014 due to a child abuse case was a dud. Minnesota’s star running back struggled all day as he tacked on just 31 yards on 10 carries in an uninspiring 20-3 loss at San Francisco. But he should be licking his chops at facing divisional rival Detroit in Week 2.
Peterson has been a force against the Lions over the past three seasons (three games), rushing for 366 yards and four scores on 66 carries. He ran for 171 yards and two touchdowns in one game at TCF Bank Stadium.
Establishing the run early should help draw some of the pressure from second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who was sacked five times on Monday. Bridgewater completed 23 of 32 passes for 231 yards in the season-opening loss to the 49ers. The Vikings quarterback threw five interceptions against Detroit last season; though he won’t have to deal with the pressure brought by former Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh this time around.
Bridgewater will have a viable target in wide receiver Mike Wallace. The two seemed to have good rapport in Week 1, connecting on six of seven passes. Wallace will be one of Bridgewater’s main weapons in this game. He ranks 13th in receiving yards (5,897) and fourth in touchdowns (47) among wide receivers since 2009. Bridgewater and Wallace should be able to light up a Detroit defense which allowed 400 yards passing in Week 1.
The Vikings have won eight of their last 10 home games against Detroit, going 6-2-2 ATS.
Writer’s Prediction
The Vikings (-3) rebound through big performances from Wallace and Peterson.
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