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Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings NFL Week 13 - Preview

Posted by Kevin Mack

December 1, 2007 |

Minnesota Vikings LogoDetroit Lions LogoDetroit Lions 6-5 vs Minnesota Vikings 5-6

Sunday December 2, 2007 @ 1:00 Metrodome

TV: Fox Network with Dick Stockton and Brian Baldinger

Detroit travels to Minnesota to face the Vikings in the Metrodome and a must win if they want to keep their NFC Playoff hopes alive.

  • Detroit Lions Offense vs Minnesota Vikings Defense

Minnesota has the NFL’s best rushing defense this season so Detroit will probably not attempt to run much. Detroit is near the bottom of the NFL in rushing and RB Kevin Jones is still suffering from a foot injury suffered late last season. QB Jon Kitna will take the Lions 7th in the NFL passing attack up against the Vikings last in the NFL passing defense. Kitna will try to get time in the pocket, Detroit has given up the most sacks in the NFL, to get passes to Receivers Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. The Lions also use Wideouts Mike Furrey and Shaun McDonald in Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz scheme. Expect Martz to put in a plan that will try to exploit Minnesota’s secondary. Minnesota will use Rookie CB Marcus McCauley and 2nd year CB Cedric Griffin to try and stop the Lions passing attack. Minnesota which excelled last week in New York against the Giants with 4 interceptions and 3 returned for TDs will try and pressure Kitna. Kitna like all NFL QBs is much more effective when he has time in the pocket. The Lions are starting Damien Woody at Right Tackle and he has not played the OT position since high school. Minnesota DE Kenechi Udeze will look to exploit Woody’s inexperience at the tackle spot and rings up some sacks of Kitna. Udeze is joined on the Defensive front by Defensive Tackles Pat and Kevin Williams so the Lions will not have any success running the ball. Look for Detroit to run the ball only 10-15 times just to keep the Viking Defense from teeing off on Kitna. Minnesota has recently mixed in blitzes and some man coverage on defense and the adjustment has helped. When Kitna sees the man coverage he will try to get to Williams and Johnson matched against the young cornerbacks.

 

  • Minnesota Vikings Offense vs Detroit Lions Defense

Minnesota will benefit from the return of RB Adrian Peterson to the NFL’s leading ground game. Detroit does have the 9th best defense against the run in the NFL but with Peterson and RB Chester Taylor the Lions will have their work cut out for them. Detroit’s rushing defense is much better at home than on the road so Peterson and Taylor will try and improve on their 5.6 yard per carry average. The Lions will rely on LBs Ernie Sims and Paris Lenon to stop the Vikings from running the ball well and moving the chains. QB Tavaris Jackson has played much better recently and will have the League’s 31st ranked pass defense to go against in the Lions. Detroit has given up big pass plays this season to teams that play fake and with Minnesota’s running ability Jackson will probably have this as part of the game plan. Detroit is also vulnerable to screens and flare passes to the backs so look for a few of these during the game. Detroit is near the top of the league in QB sacks but most of their sacks have come at home. Expect Minnesota to run, run and run some more until Detroit proves they can stop Peterson and Taylor. Detroit recently has had a lot of trouble tackling ball carriers and if they don’t correct that this week Peterson and Taylor will run wild.

  • Your ‘Lion Eyes’ Blogger’s Thoughts

Detroit has not played well since they played Dever at home a month ago. The Lions ‘high powered’ offensive is stuck in neutral. Detroit’s offensive line has had trouble all season and QB Jon Kitna has been on his back so much it appears to be taking a toll on him. Detroit’s Tampa Two was not effective against Green Bay on Thanksgiving but the Vikings do not have the passing attack that the Packers own. Detroit must stop the Vikings impressive ground game and be able to keep Kitna from getting sacked and for that matter keep him from getting hurried. When Kitna is hurried is when the interceptions follow and in this NFC North Division game usually the team that wins the turnover battle wins the game. You already know that Detroit has not won in Minnesota since 1997 when Bobby Ross was the Coach of the Lions. Here are my keys for the Lions to pull an upset:

  1. Control the Vikings Running game
  2. Tackle much better than recent performances 
  3. Protect Kitna, few if any sacks and hardly any hurries
  4. Limit the Penalties
  5. No Turnovers
  6. Get QB Jackson to throw a couple picks
  • Las Vegas Odds
    • Minnesota is -4 point Favorite to beat the Lions

Cast Your Vote in This Week’s Poll, Please

Which Team will Win the Game on Sunday December 3rd, 2007?

  • Minnesota Vikings (69%, 25 Votes)
  • Detroit Lions (31%, 11 Votes)

Total Voters: 36

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Detroit Lions NFL Week 13 IR Logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
DE Ikaika Alama-Francis - Out Hamstring No Practice No Practice No Practice

Minnesota Vikings NFL Week 13 IR Logo

Pos. Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
DE Kenechi Udeze - Probable Personal No Practice Not Listed No Practice
S Tank Williams - Out Knee No Practice No Practice No Practice
C Matt Birk - Probable Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
RB Adrian Peterson - Probable Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Prac
FB Tony Richardson - Probable Knee Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Prac
LB Dontarrious Thomas - Quest Groin Limited Practice Limited Practice No Practice
WR Troy Williamson - Doubt Concussion Limited Practice No Practice No Practice
CB Antoine Winfield - Quest Hamstring Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Prac

NFL Injury Report Logo

Reported Status Percent Chance to Play
Probable 75% Chance Player will Play in Game
Questionable 50% Chance Player will Play in Game
Doubtful 25% Chance Player will Play in Game
Out Player will not Play in Game


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