Week 9 Staff Predictions – Vikings at Lions

The week 9 matchup between the Lions and Vikings is a tale of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Lions are 5-2 and coming off a bye where they are on the path to getting healthier, while the Vikings are the current NNFC North Bottom dweller with 3-4 record battling injuries all year. Both teams will be getting back key players, with the Lions seeing Brian Branch return form suspension along with several other players in their secondary finally starting to get healthy. The Vikings will have JJ McCarthy back under center along with Van Ginkel, Darrisaw (maybe) and Jones back in their regular spots, albeit all coming off injuries.

In our season long competition, Brent still has the lead based on his 6-1, but it is tenuous right now at best. His point prediction has gone off the rails, as he keeps overestimating what the Lions are going to score each week, so he is currently off by 50 points, 34 more than the closest competitor. In second is Dan, one game back at 5-2 and significantly closer on total points than Brent. Mike and Chris are tied for third, both sitting at 4-3 with pt differences of 12 and 14 respectively. Based on this week's predictions, there won't be any movement in the standings, as everyone likes the Lions, but a gantlet of NFC East teams on the Horizon can see some differing picks over the next few weeks.

Mike

Week 9 has the Vikings visiting Ford Field. This is not last year's Vikings. The Vikes Offense ranks 25th They have struggled with running the ball as their Oline has been bitten with the injury bug. Also their starting RB Aaron Jones has been out for most of the year. Overall their Defense is a respectable 14th overall and 5th in the NFL in stopping the run. This plays right into the Lions strengths. They Lions are getting a few defensive players back including Star DB Brian Branch, and Hutch has just signed a very large contract extension. I would look for OC John Morton to get Jamo involved a bit more in the game whether it be reverses or quick hitters across the middle, gets his speed involved.

At the end of the day, I think the Lions are too much for the Vikes at Ford Field.

Lions 28, Vikings 14

Brent

The Detroit Lions entered their bye week 5-2 and started to look more familiar to Lions fans against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The interesting thing is they did it with practice squad players in their secondary. It is questionable whether Kerby Joseph will play this week, but the Lions should be getting healthier with Brian Branch coming back from suspension and Terrion Arnold likely to play. The Lions front seven on defense is starting to catch their stride. Hutch signed a massive contract this week, Alim McNeil got his first game action, and so expect a strong performance defensively against the JJ McCarthy led Viking offense. The Lions will feast upon a weakened Viking offensive line however; Justin Jefferson remains a big threat. If McCarthy can manage to get time, he has multiple threats with Aaron Jones, Jr., TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison outside of Jefferson. The key is whether JJ gets any time to throw the football. The Vikings offensive line has been a real liability. In the end, the Lions defense should be able to hold the Vikings to single digits.

Offensively, the Lions offense should feast on the Vikings defense. The Vikings are the 24th team against the run. To stop Gibbs and Monty from running all over the field, they will have to commit their linebackers and secondary to helping stop the run. With this, the Lions should be very successful passing the ball and look for play action to be a significant part of the game plan this week. Also of significance, the Lions will be looking to work Jamo into the game plan more than he has been involved of recent past. If he catches the ball, look for multiple long passes to come his way. With the limitations detailed above, I see it as the Detroit Lions 38 and Vikings 9.

Lions 38, Vikings 9

Chris

The Vikings are literally limping into Ford Field with JJ McCarthy back under center, which sounds promising until you remember his pressure-to-sack ratio was over 40% before his injury. That's not ideal when you're about to face Aidan Hutchinson, fresh off his $180 million extension, and Alim McNeill wreaking havoc up front.

Minnesota's offensive line is held together with athletic tape and optimism. Christian Darrisaw played eight snaps last week before heading back to the medical tent. If the tackles are compromised or the backups get the nod, McCarthy better have a quick release programmed into his muscle memory.

On the flip side, Detroit's offense is due for a big game - and hasn’t looked like it’s been hitting on all cylinders lately. Jahmyr Gibbs keeps defenses honest, the play-action game opens up and Goff operates from clean pockets where he thrives. The Vikings have improved against the run lately but asking them to slow down this Lions rushing attack at home feels like wishful thinking.

Brian Flores will dial up blitzes to rattle Goff, but if Detroit stays balanced and keeps favorable down-and-distance situations, this one gets out of hand quickly. McCarthy hasn't shown he can handle a Top 5 pass rush yet, and this isn't the week to figure it out.

Lions 30, Vikings 14

Dan

This is a game of two teams headed in opposite directions both this season and as organizations. As to this week, the Lions are getting healthier, stronger and better, and the NFC North cellar dwelling Vikings are getting...JJ McFraud back as their starting QB. LOL.

On Defense, the Vikes appear to have a decent passing D, but the data suggests its because their rushing defense is not the greatest, so why pass? The Lions defense e is ranked top 10 in virtually all major categories, so bringing an inexperienced and essentially a rookie QB into Ford Field, where he will have butterflies being “home” again is likely to end in disaster for the Vikes. With health issues continuing to plague their OL and key players such as Darrisaw (may not play), O Neil, Ham. Jones and McCarthy out or coming back from recent major injuries, it seems like the Lions D-Line will feast once again. Looking for multiple sacks and several TOs on the Vikes offense. They may get some shots downfield to Hockenson, Addison or Jefferson, but I think the damage will be minimal as Brian Branch, Avante Maddox and Terrion Arnold will all be back, although Kerby Joseph is trending as out.

On offense, the Lions are now completely healthy, as Taylor ecker was a full participant for the first time in over a month at practice. The Vikings defense is getting some help back, but both LBs Van Ginkel and Greenard are coming off injuries, and their RCB spot has both Okudah (likely Out) and Isiah Rodgers hurt, exposing a lack of depth in the Vikings secondary. On that note, I think the Lions will likely run to set up the pass, using Gibbs and Monty to hammer the Vikings front seven, and then hit intermediate and deep passes over the top. Expect Jamo specifically to have a big game, as the Vikings back seven is not very fleet of foot, and he should be able to just run right t by them.

On paper, this looks to be a shitshow in the makings for the Vikes, as the Lions simply do everything better and are clearly the better team. Knowing that, I think that is exactly where this game ends up, a Lions comfortable win over a Vikings team that is on a slow decent to the bottom.

Lions 31, Vikings 17