Vikings (6-9) at Lions (5-10)
Sunday, 1 ET, at Ford Field, Detroit
TV: Fox
Danny Sheridan’s line: Vikings by 61⁄
2
Vikings’ keys to victory: Shore up the run defense. That’s a difficult task with the injuries in the front seven, which is why leaders like S Harrison Smith and S Anthony Harris need to set an early tone against the Lions. On offense, rookie WR Justin Jefferson already owns the Vikings’ singleseason record for receptions by a rookie, and on Sunday he will break the rookie receiving yards record if he can add 47 yards to his season total.
Lions’ keys to victory: Last week Detroit was without 11 starters, with the most significant being QB Matthew Stafford, who is dealing with a partial ligament tear in the thumb on his throwing hand, rib cartilage damage and a sprained ankle. If he can’t play, the Lions will turn to QB Chase Daniel, who is coming off a game in which he led the offense to zero points. Expect the Lions to get Stafford or Daniel some help by leaning on rookie RB D’Andre Swift. The Lions defense is a shell of itself, but edge rushers Everson Griffen and Julian Okwara are now healthy.
Matchup to watch: Vikings RB Dalvin Cook vs. Lions’ run defense. The last time these teams met, Cook ran for 206 yards (9.4 yards per carry) and two TDs. If Cook matches that output, he will tie or break two of Adrian Peterson’s franchise records. .
Who wins? Neither can make the playoffs. The Vikings will have some motivation with offensive records within reach, while the Lions, who are hitting the reset button this offseason, appear to be struggling to finish out the season. Vikings 35, Lions 24