How you feeling about Vikings chances Sunday night?

[PurplePorsche]

I think Dan Campbell makes a bone-headed move that keeps the game tight (just like when he gifted us points early in the first game with a gamble). Detroit, even with a banged-up defense will be incredibly physical -- borderline dirty -- and if they cause a turnover or two the Vikings are toast. I suspect they will be willing to gamble on giving up big plays, because they feel like all they need are one or two defensive stops and a turnover to win this game. So, I expect a lot of blitzing and aggressive play calling from Aaron Glenn -- he has the offense to bail him out.

It will be interesting to see what BFlo comes up with against the Lions offense. For the past several weeks teams have come out with a quick passing game to negate his blitzes. It's hard to sack the QB when he is getting rid of the ball in under 2 seconds. My expectation is we will see a lot of quick passing early with a heavy dose of Gibbs from the Lions, with more downfield passing if we make adjustments to stop the run. Problem with the Detroit offense is you can't cheat them anywhere and Goff rarely misfires. St.Brown, Williams, LaPorta, Gibbs, Goff are every bit as good as Jefferson, Addison, Hockenson, Jones and Darnold. Where the Lions have the advantage is their O-line, which is probably the best unit in the NFL right now.

I hope the Vikings come out with a chip on their shoulders and play at or above Detroit's physicality -- that's what it will take to win, in my opinion.

[JR44]

This team has a different vibe than previous teams. This is not 2022 where we are miraculously finding ways to win games at the end. We are playing solid football throughout most of the game. One really promising factor is that both Atlanta and the Packers came out and really socked it to us in the first quarter, playing much more physical than us and really trying to bully us. However, this team did not overreact or back down like we have seen in other years, they may not have been able to match the physicality, but they did it with finesse and grit. They are resilient, they stay with the plan and they seem to have a swagger about them that they know they are going to win. The pass play to Ham on 1st down of the last drive and then the two passes on the next 2nd and 3rd down says it all, we are playing to win games.

Agree with Sticky in that the Lions have been the toast of the league and were expected to cruise to the division and number one seed. Now they could potentially end up a 5th seed, playing next week on the road. Think an underrated factor is that there is a ton of pressure on them and do not forget this is also a franchise with a history of losing. We have not had the same expectations and not many are expecting us to lose, so in some ways, not a lot for us to lose in this one, think we come out and play our game and take it to them.

[FLVike]

Our 4th down defense may decide it.

[purplefaithful]

Talking to some Lions fans and last year was the year that was just fun for them....

Things got serious this season and expectations rose a lot.

I agree with others in this thread - the heat is more on Detroit than Minny. Lets see if we bring our A game and if Detroit lives up to the moment in a lots at stake regular season game?

[Still Hurtn]

I would favor Detroit slightly. The reason is trick plays and 4th down attempts that are often successful. However eventually it could be there demise. Win this week would be huge

[purplefaithful]

I would favor Detroit slightly. The reason is trick plays and 4th down attempts that are often successful. However eventually it could be there demise. Win this week would be huge

Their offense is in a different league, even with just Gibbs at RB. 

Vikings D has to play its best game for this to be competitive. 

This is where it would be nice to have a more effective running game and keep Goff and all that firepower on the sidelines.

[comet52]

We've lost 4 in a row to Detroit because we can't stop their offense. If Flores comes up with something we could win, otherwise I see a shootout loss. Maybe 52-49, something crazy like that.

[purplefaithful]

We've lost 4 in a row to Detroit because we can't stop their offense.  If Flores comes up with something we could win, otherwise I see a shootout loss.  Maybe 52-49, something crazy like that.

Yah, Ben Johnson has out chessed Flo...

So close last game  - but close counts in hand grenades and horse shoes.

[Kentis]

If I recall, coach got conservative the last Lions game, took the ball out of Sam’s hands. Punted back to them & they drove for the game willing field goal. Lesson learned & applied last week against the fudge. KOC trusts Sammy more now…! 1-0 baby! 

[MaroonBells]

I was more worried about the Packer game. I am not sure how I feel about this one. I just want Darnold to keep playing his game. That defense has to step up big on Sunday. It will be interesting to see how this goes.

Same. I'm not saying this is going to be an easy game, but I feel oddly confident that the Vikes are going to win this by about 10 points. In all the hype about the dreaded Lions not many people seem to realize just how bad their defense is. Goff is good for at least one turnover, and Campbell is good for at least one boneheaded decision. Vikings 40-30.