Game Thread: Game 13: Lions vs Vikings

[Old Lion]

I double taked when I saw this. What are these folks smoking?

This suggests 27-25 Lions

Sun 1:00 PM EST
See Game Summary
TV: FOX

Vikings
10-2

Lions
5-7

	SPREAD	MONEYLINE	TOTAL POINTS
Vikings	+2-110	+105	O 52-109
Lions	-2-110	-125	U 52-111

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

What are these folks smoking?

Surely not my stash.
I don't share.

 

[Thruthefog]

It's a division game. It'll be a bar fight.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

It's a division game. It'll be a bar fight.

 

[phantomfoul88]

I still can't believe they are favored. I'd prefer the underdog role but we'll see what happens.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Thursday roundup

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Lions are tied for fifth in the NFL with 43 passes of at least 20 yards, and they're one of three teams with four or more runs of 40-plus yards.

But as explosive as the Lions' offense has been, and as well as they've played winning four of their past five games, Johnson has been pining for more big plays in recent weeks. Just 14 of the Lions' 20-plus-yard pass plays have come during their five-game hot stretch, and the Lions have not scored a touchdown of 20 or more yards since Week 4.

The Lions converted a season-high 67% of their third downs (8 of 12) against the Jaguars, but face a Minnesota Vikings team Sunday that held them to 3 of 16 on third down conversions when the two teams met in September. The Lions failed to convert on two key third downs late in that game, when the Vikings rallied in the final minute for a 28-24 win.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

AG needs this defense to

1. Stop the run - Dalvin Cook - plug the middle and seal/contain the edges - ILB need to play their best ball.
2. Blitz when necessary but not overkill that leaves Cousins able to hit quick checkdowns or short seam routes.
3. DB's need to be in constant sync communication wise with one another - limit mental lapses knowing where/who each is responsible for
4. Clock, play, in-game management. If we get inside the redzone first and its 4th and long, kick the damn FG. Reward your offense.
5. Make Hockenson pay for his slight by words against his now former team. Shut his ass down and be physical towards him - Will Harris' job

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Allegedly Jameson Williams is going to be playing the Gunner position this week and beyond.

This is what you'll get from him, and I wish I had video of the other monstrous hits - not the targeting one's though like this one

He's unafraid to deliver hits whether playing on ST or blocking for WR, RB

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

So, maybe we see Jamo receive snaps in the 10-15 range this week depending on how the game and situational phase are heading.

NOTEBOOK: Williams building chemistry with Goff, working toward bigger role

Tim Twentyman covers all the Detroit Lions news of the day including rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams' role, preparing for the Minnesota Vikings and more.

www.detroitlions.com

Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has been consistent over the last couple weeks since Williams has returned to practice in saying Williams' reps will increase the more chemistry he builds with quarterback Jared Goff.

"It's encouraging to finally get some opportunities to hook up in practice both in routes on air and in competitive periods because that chemistry as we talked about last week, that's critical, that's big," Johnson said this week. "Knowing where he's going to be, what the top of his breaks going to look like or our quarterback can anticipate that throw, that goes a long way."

It's expected the extra week of practice and more opportunity to build chemistry with Goff should lead to more reps this week against the Vikings.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

NOTEBOOK: Williams building chemistry with Goff, working toward bigger role

Tim Twentyman covers all the Detroit Lions news of the day including rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams' role, preparing for the Minnesota Vikings and more.

www.detroitlions.com

REINFORCEMENTS ON THE WAY
This Lions team is much different than the one that lost in Minneapolis Week 3.

Just consider this list of impact players who didn't suit up in that Week 3 contest for the Lions: Guard Jonah Jackson, defensive lineman John Cominsky, cornerback Jerry Jacobs, fullback Jason Cabinda, Williams, defensive lineman Romeo Okwara, defensive lineman Josh Paschal, kicker Michael Badgley and linebacker James Houston, to name a few.

There's a lot of impact there the Lions are hoping to tap into Sunday as they look to turn the tide in their favor this time around.

BB_72: Hutch was extremely limited in that game after being hurt versus the Commanders game

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

FEELING BETTER
It's that time of year when the flu bug and other winter-time illnesses are in full swing. The Lions have been dealing with some of that this week as cornerback Jeff Okudah, wide receiver Kalif Raymond and backup quarterback Nate Sudfeld missed practice Wednesday and Thursday.

It was good to see Okudah and Raymond back at practice on Friday as the Lions put their finishing touches on their prep work for Sunday.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

JACOBS FACTOR
While the Lions did a nice job limiting All-Pro Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the first matchup (3 rec., 14 yds), Vikings veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, including a couple key catches late in that game.

Amani Oruwariye was Detroit's No. 2 cornerback in the first contest, and he allowed nine catches on 11 targets for 79 yards and a touchdown. He was also flagged five times for illegal contact, holding and pass interference penalties.

Second-year cornerback Jerry Jacobs is now Detroit's No. 2 cornerback. He has been really good for the Lions since returning from an ACL injury suffered last season. Opposing passers have a 53.6 completion percentage throwing Jacobs' way with a 73.2 passer rating. He has yet to allow a touchdown in his coverage.

"He's highly competitive, he's very tough and he looks at himself as a total package as a corner," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said of Jacobs on Friday. "He's not scared. He's not worried about getting beat. He can put it behind him and go to the next one, which you have to.
Quarterbacks and cornerbacks have to have very short memories to have success in this league because things are going to happen. They always do, and he's got all of those."

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

EXTRA POINT
Through the first 12 games of the season, the Lions offensive line has allowed 19 sacks, tied for the third fewest in the NFL. They've also paved the way for 18 rushing touchdowns, tied for the third most in the NFL.

BB_72: Stafford probably would've been sacked 30+ times by now even with this OL.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Interesting take by AG

10 takeaways from Glenn, Johnson & Fipp

Catch up on all the news from the coordinator media sessions with Aaron Glenn, Ben Johnson and Dave Fipp.

www.detroitlions.com

What does Glenn think the identity of his defense is? He said he preaches being a tough and violent defense.

"That's who we are," Glenn said. "It's going to attack the football. I think it shows as far as the takeaways we've gotten and just the way we've played defense overall."

Glenn said his guys might not be the most athletic bunch in the league, but he wants to make sure it's tough for opposing offenses each and every week playing his defense.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

The reason why you bring back some veteran players. Leadership, knowledge and on-field coaching. It's questionable if Woods completely fits that mold, but I can assure you that Cominsky and Isaiah Buggs do while also playing important rotational roles each week.

From Detroit Lions.com
Veteran linebacker Josh Woods is one of the core players and leaders on Detroit's special teams' unit. He had a tackle and two key blocks in the return game last week vs. the Jaguars.

Fipp said there was one instance last week when he was going to jump into a huddle near the sideline to relay a message to his players before they took the field but when he got close to the huddle, Woods was in the center saying the same thing Fipp planned to talk about. Fipp said that's what a coach wants in a leader.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

We damn for sure could use the Romeo Okwara of 2020 down the stretch and if healthy throughout all of 2023. Hopefully he flashes enough the remainder of this season to prove he's worthy of retaining for 2023 and explodes statistically enough in 2023 that another team signs him to a heavy $$ loaded contract in 2024 - a possibility for a decent comp pick in 2025 - so long as we have a 2023 draft replacement for him waiting in the wings.

From Detroit Lions.com
Veteran pass rusher Romeo Okwara is expected to make his 2022 debut after suffering a torn Achilles more than a year ago (Oct. 3) vs. Chicago. Okwara adds length and power to the mix upfront, and Glenn said he's excited to tap into some of Okwara's pass-rush prowess the rest of the way.

 

[Gulf of Brazil]

Detroit faces former Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson this week. Hockenson has 30 receptions on 40 targets in five games for Minnesota. Glenn said they really have to watch out for Hockenson in the red zone. Glenn said Hockenson has as many red zone targets in five games as wide receiver Adam Thielen does all year for the Vikings.

BB_72: yes, 30 receptions for a grand total of 225 yards, 7.5 yards per reception and 1TD, 14 first downs

 

[VulturesRule]

Even DC is surprised the Lions are favored against the 10-2 team. While the records would indicate the visitor’s should be favored, momentum seems to be on the Lions side. Living right outside of the Twin Cities and getting a full week of ’queens fans and media dismissing this game, I’m looking forward to hearing a collective WTF exclaimed at the end of the game. I may just listen to the radio while watching the game - the ‘queens play by play guy is a real Homer, and will be indignant if the Lions prove to be the better team.

 

[Thruthefog]

Even DC is surprised the Lions are favored against the 10-2 team. While the records would indicate the visitor’s should be favored, momentum seems to be on the Lions side. Living right outside of the Twin Cities and getting a full week of ’queens fans and media dismissing this game, I’m looking forward to hearing a collective WTF exclaimed at the end of the game. I may just listen to the radio while watching the game - the ‘queens play by play guy is a real Homer, and will be indignant if the Lions prove to be the better team.

How far is Spring Valley from Birchwood? I lived there from '06 to '11 before coming back home to Texas.