On Sunday the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions in which I feel is the biggest game of the year. It is a must win even this early with 6 games left after Sunday. A win and the team goes 6-4 and a loss will be 5-5 and either case the bye is the next week. The 3 games after the bye are at Chicago and at Green Bay then back home with a date with Chicago.
I do not know if I ever remember a span in such short order that Minnesota can really take a strangle hold on the division or in the same thought be in last place and playoffs out of the question. There is no doubt it is tough but the way the 2012 NFL season is going anything is possible.
The game itself is extremely big for Christian Ponder. The lack of passing numbers including 2 games with less than 75 yards passing is unacceptable really sets up an interesting home game. I am a huge fan yet if the team starts out a drive of 3 and out I fully expect the boo birds to come calling. I have been to over 130 home games and have heard my share of booing which is quite sad, yet I know people have rights to their opinions. I chose not to boo but that does not mean my heart is not hurting.
I have a gut feeling this game is going to be a game this team needs so bad. I do not have facts to back my feelings up just a feeling. This team is need of such a desperate spark and when it comes the home crowd will be in for a treat.
The last time Minnesota played Detroit if you remember the Vikings had 2 special teams’ returns for touchdowns. In looking up on how Detroit is doing now things have changed for the better for the Lions. In the last 4 games Detroit is only averaging giving up 6 yards on punt returns and 20.4 on kickoff returns.
The Lions also come in on a 2 game winning streak with wins over Jacksonville and then a come from behind win over Seattle. The Vikings have lost 3 of their last 4. The loser of this game will be in the cellar of the NFC North. It does not seem to long ago we were hearing and seeing people in the national media talking about the first place Vikings.
The Packers are on their bye week and Chicago (7-1) plays the AFC’s Houston Texans who also are 7-1.
The NFC North is now number one in the NFL with 22 wins with Chicago (7) Green Bay (6), Minnesota (5) and Detroit (4). What a challenge to be in this group!!!!
Two key matchups to watch Sunday will be Jared Allen going against Lion’s offensive tackle, Jeff Backus who has only given up one sack all season. It is time for some calf roping action at Mall of America Field.
The other matchup is Lions defensive end, Cliff Avril going up against Phil Loadholt. Avril is a speed rusher, which tends to give Loadholt some trouble. It is time for Phil to have the game of his life.
Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford really likes to throw the ball. He is averaging 43.3 passes per game and a 63.6 percent completion rate. He has not thrown an interception in his last 4 games against the Vikings so it is time to break that streak.
The Lions have also found a running back who is making a difference in Mikel Leshoure. The Vikings have struggled so badly in the last 4 weeks and now we face another big challenge. I remember watching him when he played for the University of Illinois and did I like how he looked.
Adrian Peterson had his first 100 game of the season in Detroit and now is only 43 yards from the 1000 yard mark. I am looking for another monster game against the Lions. The front 7 of the Lions is one of the best especially the front four. These guys are physical with Ndamukong Suh just recently voted one the dirtiest players in the league.
The 2 big question marks of the game are also 2 of the elite players in the NFL. Percy Harvin listed as doubtful and 2012 Madden Cover Winner, Calvin Johnson. This is unfortunate that fans may or may not be able to see these premier athletes in action. It is believed Johnson has a better shot to play that Harvin.
The Vikings will have rookie Jarius Wright active for the first time this season which excites the heck out of me. He was very exciting to watch in camp. Wright is 5’10 inches which is an inch shorter than Harvin. They both weigh around the same. I am hoping that Wright can show his speed in front of the 63,000 fans in attendance along with the TV viewing audience and give people something to talk about.
My hope is the stadium is filled with screaming Vikings maniacs. I found out this week a friend of a friend bought 7 lower level tickets all together. It is strange to hear but happy for these people. This will be the 8th home game and my wife has not had anybody next to her in the first 7. Times need to change and with the Vikings starting back on the winning track it will help.
I look for a blowout win with the Vikings winning 35-10.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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