First place in the NFC North is on the line when the Detroit Lions travel to Minnesota to face the division-rival Vikings. Both teams are 1-1 after two weeks, with each team losing to the same Philadelphia Eagles team.
The Vikings are favored by 5.5 points at home. If the Lions are to pull off the upset win, Detroit will need to execute in a few key areas.
4 Lions who must play well for Detroit to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3
Here are some facets where Dan Campbell’s Lions must come up big to notch the victory in their first road game of the season.
Keep racking up big plays in the run game
Through the first two weeks of action, the Lions have had 11 runs of at least 10 yards. Three of those runs have hit 50 yards.
The ability for the Lions to gain big chunks of yardage on the ground has been outstanding, especially given the shuffling of personnel on the interior offensive line thanks to injuries. It’s been a fun mix of savvy play design from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, strong blocking and determined running from D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams and Craig Reynolds.
All those big runs have helped the Lions to the league lead in yards per carry at an astonishing 7.2. Swift himself is averaging 10.0 YPC. The Vikings are coming off a week where they surrendered 163 rushing yards and a 4.8 YPC average in their loss to the Eagles. Minnesota ranks 28th overall by giving up 5.3 yards per carry on the season.
Normally the focus for the Lions run game is to grind out four or five yards on each carry. This is a game where gaining 1 or 2 a few times but also breaking off a couple of 20-plus yarders is the more desirable outcome to keep the rushing average high.
Avoid the preventable penalties
One of the bright spots from Detroit’s Week 2 win was the lack of laundry on the field. The Lions committed just one enforced penalty, a false start by RT Penei Sewell on the game’s second play. Two others were declined by Washington.
Some of that was a function of an officiating crew that let the players play. But the disciplined nature of the Lions was strong. Avoiding the false starts, illegal formation, offsides and illegal contact infractions showed real dedication.
It’s imperative to carry that over into Minnesota, where the Vikings are one of the least-penalized teams. They’ve committed just eight enforced penalties in two games and only three pre-snap fouls. In a game where field position figures to matter, not giving away yards is critical for Detroit.
Don't let Kirk Cousins get comfortable
Kirk Cousins has had an enigmatic NFL career, but the veteran quarterback has always been impressive when he gets time to throw. And with WRs like Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen at his disposal, Cousins can carve up defenses who can’t disrupt him.
Enter Charles Harris. The Lions defensive end was a major problem for Cousins a year ago, sacking the Vikings QB three times in the two meetings. Harris has an improved running mate in Aidan Hutchinson, with the impactful rookie bagging three sacks of his own in Week 2.
The Vikings have made considerable investments in the offensive line, starting two first-round picks and three second-rounders, all drafted since 2018. Minnesota has too much potential down the field with the weapons and the Lions inconsistent secondary to let Cousins get comfortable. It figures to be a long afternoon if Cousins plays like he did in Minnesota’s Week 1 domination of the Packers.
Win the red zone
Sometimes it’s a matter of simple math. Six is greater than three, and both are better than zero.
The Lions have been pretty good at converting red zone possessions into touchdowns. Their 80 percent rate is tied for fourth in the NFL. In a game where the Vikings figure to find the end zone a few times on their own, cashing in touchdowns instead of 34-yard field goal attempts is imperative.
It’s true at the other end of the field too. The Vikings offense has sputtered in the red zone, scoring touchdowns on less than a third of their possessions. However, Minnesota’s red zone defense has been strong and even a little opportunistic. Coordinator Ed Donatell is good at dialing up quick pressures and confusing coverages in the shortened field.
