Vikings (6-5) at Lions (4-7)

Vikings at Lions, 12 pm Central

I could basically take last week's preview and apply it to this game. The Vikings need a win, they are playing a weak team, and they might not take the seriousness of this game in its entirety. The Lions are a team in the worst type of dissarray right now as they take the field with a new coach at the helm on an interim basis. They know they are essentially out of any playoff pictures, and the Lions never seem to play big when they are only playing for pride. This is all the more reason to fear the Lions.

The Bears still hold a 2 game lead on us right now, and a loss would not help our causes in the least. First of all it would give us a second mark in the loss colum (sp?) for our divisional games. If we are going to have a final showdown in Decemeber against the Bears, we need to have at least the same divisional record as them, if not better. We are definelty looking for a Packer win this week as much as I hate to say it. That right there would put the divisional records the same, and bring us within a game of the Bears. Thus setting up the final showdown in the Dome. In reality we are not 2 games back, we are really 1 game back so long as the Bears lose a divisional game and the Vikings beat the Lions. If the case is such, week 17 will be the first of a few playoff games for the Vikings.

Keys to the game - run the damn ball. I still shudder when I think of a passing game based upon the arm of Johnson. If we can establish the running game then mix in the pass, well we might have a winner. We cannot rely entirly upon the defense and special teams to win games for us.

Defense. Keep an eye on Mosely. This guy entirely flew under my radar last week and played a brilliant game, worthy of a nod for player of the game. Pat Williams as always needs to bring the intensity. Sharper should be looking to be the gravitational center of the Garcia's universe. Pat Williams will be the wrecking ball that destroy's his dreams. As long as the Vikings can contain the run, they should be alright. They have been amazing as of late and it is actually exciting to watch them play. 3 and outs would be just fine.

Final Score Prediction - Vikings 27, Lions 17.

Skol Vikings