As I am writing this blog I figure a little under 16 hours from now the game will kick off. The question I ask myself is, can the Vikings go into Detroit and get the third win of the season? I feel good about the chances and when it happens the total wins will be at 3 equaling all of last year.
I would like to look at the Lions offense against this young Vikings defense starting with Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. He is averaging 290 yards a game passing. He is currently throwing at a clip of 69 percent. He has only 3 touchdowns but the stat I like is he has already thrown 4 interceptions. He has been questionable early in the week but now appears ready to go. Stafford last year was unbelievable with over 5000 yards passing and 41 touchdowns. The defense really needs to get him uncomfortable like the Vikings did with 49ers quarterback, Alex Smith. Stafford has only been sacked 4 times in the early part of the season. Jared got his first sack last week so let the pursuit of the quarterback sack record looking for number 2 or more happen in Detroit.
The receiving corp will be a huge challenge for the Vikings defensive backs. Calvin Johnson also known as “Megatron” will be a huge task to stop. I use the word huge literally as Johnson comes in at 6’5” and as athletic as there is in the NFL. He is the face of Madden ‘12” and as most people talk the curse of being on the cover does not seem to have affected him yet. Maybe Sunday will be the day he finally suffers such as no touchdowns. I do not know if the team can completely shut him down. The key will be if and when he catches it the Vikings defensive team speed needs to tackle and do not allow the YAC (yards after catch). The other receiver is Nate Burleson who is a former Vikings draft choice. It is hard to believe Nate is in his 10th year in the league. It does not seem like 10 years already.
The linebackers for the Vikings will get a stiff challenge as the Lions have 2 very good tight ends in Tony Scheffler and Brandon Pettigrew. The Vikings I thought did a god job against 49ers tight end, Vernon Davis so once again the linebackers will be challenged. One unusual thing with this group is the amount of sacks they have got. Jared Allen has 1 while Erin Henderson and Chad Greenway both have 2. Erin will be out again Sunday, but I still feel this group has done a great job 3 weeks in. The question of many is how will new middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley do? The answer is so far so good. I like his progress and the hustle he brings.
The running back the Lions started last week I really liked in college when he played at the University of Illinois, Mikel Leshoure. In his game against the Tennessee Titans he ran 26 times for 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings defensive line did a great job in shutting down 49ers running back, Frank Gore, holding him to less than a 100 and no touchdowns. The defensive team pursuit of Gore was awesome to watch so Sunday time to continue and do not let up.
On Sunday September 23 we saw Jared get his first sack and Chad Greenway collect 16 tackles, let’s see who steps up Sunday and has a monster game.
Just mentioning NFC North game gets me fired up. A win would be so big with not only separating by a game more but also get the tie breaker.
A big home win last week will be bigger if the team can get the job done on the road.
Noon kickoff I cannot wait. I hate to repeat myself but after 2 long years with too many losses a chance to get a third win is so big.
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
GO VIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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