The Number one seed is on the line today as the Vikings come to FF to face off VS the Lions.
8:20 pm start time.
The Vikings are clearly worried about the home field advantage. So worried they spent $2million dollars to buy up 1900 seats on the Vikings side of the field.
This is the first time in NFL history that two 14 win teams face off for the #1 seed. It’s so rare there’s never even been two 13 win teams to ever do it.
The loser will be the first ever 14 win wildcard team.
The Lions have won the last 4 match-ups by scoring 31, 30, 30 and 34 points. I firmly believe that if the Lions can score 31 or more points they will win this game.
The Vikings have only scored more than 30 points 3 times all year vs the Tex (34), Atl (42). and Packers (31). I just don’t feel they have the ponies to beat the Lions. Two of those games were back in Sept. Since November the Vikings have averaged just 26 points a game. During that same stretch the Lions have averaged 34 points a game. Since the month of December the Lions have averaged 39 points a game.
Here’s something some of you may not know. Ben Johnson has been beating up on Flores led defenses. Did you know Flores fired Ben back in 2018 when he became HC for MIA. When Ben was asked about it and getting revenge he just smirked. Ben clearly knows Flores schemen and how to exploit it.
Key to winning the game is Jared Goff and winning the turn-over battle.
The last time these two met up Goff completed 22-25 for 280 Yards and 2 TD’s.
Everyone worries about the Lions pass defense but the Vikings have been just as bad. It’s so bad that.
Teams pass on the Vikings 65% of the time. Which is ranked 32nd in the league.
Teams put up 244 yrds passing yards on average against that secondary which ranks 28th in the league.
Their defense overall is average 16th in giving up opponents yards per game. They are also average (16th) in redzone efficiency. Opponents score 53% of the time they get in the redzone.
Winning the turnover battle is key because this game will be a shootout. I also believe if we can hold them to 3 on a few drives they will struggle to get 30+ points.
The Vikings are 6-0 when they create at least two turnovers a game. The Vikings are tied with Pit with 31 turnovers created. Ranking them 1st in the league. Last game the Vikings created a fumble that was returned for a TD.
The Lions have only given up 13 turnovers all season and that ranks them 4th.
In comparison the Lions defense has 24 takeaways. Branch and Joseph have combined for 13 themselves. Last game BB picked off Darnold once.
The Vikings and Lions defenses have both gotten worse since their last match-up. The Lions defense due to injuries but the Vikings defense due to age and lack of depth. They’re wearing down. Especially late in games.
The Lions will have AA back for this game. I’m hoping Thor can bring the hammer tonight.
I firmly believe that the Vikings defense will struggle to keep the Lions offense below 30pts. In fact I think the Lions will score north of 34 points this game.
The Vikings have also struggled in Sunday night games. This game is a 9:20pm start for them. Which means the game will end after midnight for them.
Keep in mind if the two teams tie today the Lions hold the tie-breaker.
I think the Lions win this shootout. The game should be high scoring and close until late in the game when the Lions pull away.
My prediction is the Lions 34 - Vikings 27
Go Lions!
This games too big so I’m opening the thread now to get the talk started.
