Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Predictions for the game plus key matchups to watch for in Sundays opener



Are you ready for some football? Can you believe the time has come? It is no longer weeks of anticipation now it is coming down to hours, minutes and seconds until kickoff.

Matchups to watch for:

Jared Allen vs 2nd year Left Tackle, Reily Reiff  (Lions 1st round draft choice in 2012 chosen at # 23)

Vikings linebackers vs. Lions 2 Tight ends (Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler) this will be a great start for Erin Henderson in show casing his coverage ability as Lions like the deep seem pass.

Vikings middle of the offensive line (Center –Sullivan and Guards, Fusco and Charlie Johnson) going against Lions Defensive Tackles, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley)

Lions QB Matthew Stafford vs. Vikings young secondary

Lion’s Wide receiver, Calvin Johnson vs. Chris Cook or Xavier Rhodes

2 rookie punters- Minnesota’s Jeff Locke drafted in the 5th round at # 155 and the Lions’ Sam Martin also drafted in the 5th round but at # 165. Which rookie punter will punt like a veteran?


Prediction:

Vikings 31 Lions 10

The Vikes will score 4 touchdowns. I predict Ponder will throw a TD to Kyle Rudolph for one score. AP will have 2 rushing TD’s along with 161 yards on the ground. The final TD comes by way of a special teams return. I believe Marcus Sherels will return one for a 2nd year in a row in Detroit or a kick return to start either the game or half by Cordarrelle Patterson.

The Lions ended at 4-12 in 2012. I believe they are way better than their record showed. This team will be a high scoring offensive team this year but Sunday they will only get 1 TD.

Lion’s receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is just too good to get shut out. I believe Stafford will find him for the lone TD of the game for the Lions.

Notes from around the league:

 78 undrafted rookie free agents made the 53 man roster of 32 teams. That is a little over 2 per team. What a feat to accomplish. Vikings, Zach Line is one of them. Congrats to Zach!

Other NFL news: Former Gopher quarterback, MarQueis Gray was cut from the 49ers but made the 53 man roster for the Cleveland Browns. I am hoping he is still on the Browns when they come to Minnesota for the home opener.

One fantasy note: I had my draft and was able to get Kyle Rudolph. I really feel he is due a big break out season.

Thanks for reading

Purplestick

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