The Minnesota Vikings enters Sunday’s game in Detroit on an 11 game NFC North losing streak. The Detroit Lions swept the Minnesota Vikings last year for the first time since 1997. Detroit has also won 3 in a row in the series.
This will be the 102nd meeting between the 2 squads. The Vikings hold a 66-33-2 lead in the series. The Vikings home record is impressive against the Lions going 36-13-1. The game is in Detroit where the Vikings have won 15 of the last 18 in Detroit. The Vikings are also 16-6 in the month of September against the Lions.
This will be the last game against an NFC North team until November when the Vikings host the Lions at Mall of America Field.
Let’s take a look at some of the key players for Sunday’s game beginning with quarterback Christian Ponder. Did you know he was 1 of 3 quarterbacks in the NFL that has yet to throw the dreaded int?
Ponder is 2nd in the NFL with a 70.1 percent completion rate. He is the 5th rated passer with a qb rating of 104.9.
Ponder’s first NFL start came on October 23, 2011. Percy Harvin, Mr Excitement, has benefited with Ponder running the show. Did you know since that date Harvin is number 1 in catches in the NFL since 10/2311 with 89? The next to follow are Wes Welker with 87, Roddy White with 85, and then Victor Cruz and Calvin Johnson come in next tied at 84. What an impressive stat for Percy.
Percy’s 3 game total catches with the Vikings is 27 which breaks the record of 23 by Cris Carter in 1997.
Adrian Peterson plays well against Detroit in fact his longest run of his career which was 80 yards came in 2010.
Marcus Sherels, kick returner had his best pro game as a Viking against the Lions on September 25, 2011. He had 90 yards in returns.
Kyle Rudolph after his 2 touchdown performance against the 49ers in now tied for third in the league with 3 touchdowns.
In looking at some connections between the 2 teams I found this. Quarterback Matthew Stafford and Vikings kicker Blair Walsh both played for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Lions wide receiver, Nate Burleson played for the Vikings from 2003-2005. Lion’s backup quarterback, Shaun Hill played here from 2002-2006. Scott Linehan, Lions Offensive Coordinator was Minnesota’s Offensive Coordinator and qb coach from 2002-2004.
I like the chances of Minnesota coming into Detroit and getting the important win on the road and more importantly a win in the division. Throw out the last 3 games in the series and you look at Vikings domination. This team has to build on last week’s impressive win. A flop in this week really puts a damper on last week. It is a week at a time. The team showed the fans the potential if they put all 3 phases together. I am not expecting anything less. Vikes win!!!!
Next up: Minnesota offense against Lions defense
Thanks for reading
Purplestick
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