Detroit Lions

5 wild predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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After a two-game skid, the Minnesota Vikings are desperately seeking a win. Here are 5 WILD predictions for their divisional game against the Detroit Lions.

The Minnesota Vikings have been embarrassed the past two weeks, there’s no other way of stating it. The 21-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in week 7 was disappointing, but last week’s 20-10 loss to the division-rival Chicago Bears was simply unforgivable.

The Bears, who entered the game at 1-6, tied for the second-worst record in the NFL, were dominant in every phase of the game.

The offense struggled behind a patchwork offensive line, allowing five sacks and constant pressure. This statistic, via Pat Thurman of Pro Football Focus, perfectly summarizes the dismal performance upfront.

#Bears blitzed Bradford twice. The 4.8% blitz rate was the lowest for any team this season. They still got pressure on 38% of his dropbacks.

— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) November 1, 2016

However, the Vikings’ struggles extended beyond a predictably poor outing from the offensive line. Defensively, the Vikings were uncharacteristically poor. Mike Zimmer’s vaunted defense made Jordan Howard, a rookie running back drafted in the fifth round, look like Marshall Faulk under the primetime lights. Allowing 202 total yards and a touchdown on 30 touches from Howard, the Vikings had no answers all night.

For a game played on Halloween night, the game was fittingly terrifying for Vikings fans, who watched their Super Bowl aspirations start to slip away.

Many of the Vikings problems, such as the offensive line and nonexistent running game, just don’t appear to have imminent solutions. Nevertheless, the Vikings will seek answers this week, as they return home to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Detroit Lions.

This week’s NFC North matchup won’t be easy for the slumping Vikings, but it will be critical for them to get a win. Here are 5 WILD predictions for this week’s action:

Oct 25, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Vikings win 28-19. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Matthew Stafford throws for 275+ yards

The Vikings defense is very good, but so is Matthew Stafford. While many predicted the eighth-year quarterback to struggle in the wake of Calvin Johnson’s retirement, he has truly flourished. With 2,154 yards, 16 touchdowns, only 4 interceptions, and a career-best completion percentage of 67.7, Stafford has taken his game to a new level.

To make matters even worse, Lions wide receivers Golden Tate and Marvin Jones will be very difficult assignments for the Vikings. The quick, crafty receivers will be difficult to contain for the Vikings’ big, physical corners like Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes.

If the offensive line can give Stafford time to throw, he should have a very good day. Already averaging 269.25 yards per game this year, Stafford should throw for over 275 against the Vikings.

Without much of a running game to speak of, the Lions will air the ball out early and often, and Stafford will likely put up some impressive stats against the Vikings’ 2nd ranked defense.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Marcus Sherels (35) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Houston Texans in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings score a special teams touchdown

To say the least, the Minnesota Vikings offense has been lagging in recent weeks, putting up just 10 points in each of their past two games. If Minnesota is going to get back on track, they may need a little help from the other phases of the game.

In their five game win streak to open the season, the Vikings scored a remarkable four defensive or special teams touchdowns, relying on unconventional scoring to get an maintain momentum. If the Vikings are going to get any of that momentum that they had early in the season back, they will likely need to work some magic again.

After punt returner Marcus Sherels, who already has two punt return touchdowns this year, missed last week’s game with a wrist injury, the Vikings are back to full strength on special teams. Between Sherels and Cordarrelle Patterson, the Vikings have easily the most dangerous return duo in the league, and they should make that clear this week.

Whether it’s Patterson running in his first kick return touchdown of the year or Sherels getting his third score of the year, I expect someone to step up and take one to the house against the Lions.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) is sacked by Houston Texans defensive end Antonio Smith (94) and teammates during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings allow 5+ sacks

Over the past two weeks, the Vikings have allowed 11 sacks, making it almost impossible for the offense to get into a rhythm and move the ball down the field. The offensive line is simply not good, and there is no help in sight. Jake Long is clearly not the answer, and the deadline to make a trade has passed. The Vikings appear to be stuck with one of the worst offensive line groups in the NFL.

To make matters worse, Alex Boone, who has been one of the better players on the unit, has been ruled out against the Lions with a concussion. Zac Kerin, who has filled in when Boone missed time in the past, has not practiced at all this week, and his status is uncertain for the game.

More than likely, the Vikings will be forced to kick backup center Nick Easton out to guard for this week’s game. While Easton had a very solid preseason and has a lot of upside for the future, yet another readjustment to the offensive line is not a good thing.

The Detroit Lions have a solid pass rush, ranking 13th in the league with 18 sacks despite star defensive end Ziggy Ansah missing substantial time to injury. Ansah was a limited participant in practice all week, and appears set to play on Sunday.

The Lions will likely continue to expose the Vikings’ offensive line woes, blowing past would-be blockers for 5+ sacks and keeping the offense largely in check. The Lions are by no means a dominant defense, but the Vikings have a very, very bad offensive line.

Oct 23, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) makes a touchdown catch past Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Leodis McKelvin (21) and free safety Rodney McLeod (23) during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Philadelphia Eagles won 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Patterson gets 100+ yards

Norv Turner’s Air Coryell offensive scheme, which heavily emphasized downfield passing, has simply not been working. Without the personnel on the offensive line to protect the quarterback and make time for seven-step dropbacks and long-developing routes, the scheme has resulted in a lot of sacks and throwaways.

Unfortunately, given the lack of time that interim offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has had to prepare for this week’s game, the Vikings are unlikely to deviate too substantially from that system. However, Shurmur is likely to do something to ease the pressure that Norv Turner never did enough of: let his playmakers make plays.

To ease the pressure on a struggling offensive line and add a spark to an unproductive offensive scheme, Shurmur will likely work in a number of quick passing concepts into the gameplan, putting the ball into the hands of his playmakers on the perimeter and allowing them to make plays.

Everyone who has watched the Vikings play knows that there is nobody more dangerous with the ball in their hands than Cordarrelle Patterson. With an absurd combination of speed, power, and cutback ability, Patterson is an explosive weapon from anywhere on the field.

Thus, Shurmur will likely feature Patterson heavily in this week’s gameplan, giving him the ball frequently on screens and short routes and putting him in the position to generate YAC and move the offense downfield.

Shurmur doesn’t have the time to overhaul the offensive scheme, but he will likely place a greater emphasis on the short, west coast passing concepts that he has been known for in the past. Patterson should thrive in this gameplan, turning the extra touches thrown his way into over a hundred yards of offense.

Oct 9, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings fans Syd Davy cheers on his team against the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings win 31-13. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings win: 17-14

Aided by a home crowd desperately hoping to see the team get back on track, the Vikings will squeak out a close win on a game-winning field goal from Blair Walsh.

Despite an impressive yardage output from the Lions passing game, Minnesota will manage to keep the score low with tough redzone defense and a few key turnovers. While I don’t expect much of a bounce-back performance from the Vikings’ offense, the defense should get mostly back on track with a respectable bend-but-don’t-break performance.

This game might not be pretty, with the Vikings needing to resort to special teams scoring and goal-line stands to secure the victory, but a win is a win.

In Pat Shurmur’s first game as offensive play-caller, the Minnesota Vikings will do just enough to end their two-game road losing streak and move to 6-2 on the year. Meanwhile, the Lions will remain in the hunt in the NFC North.