Minnesota Vikings host NFC North rivals Detroit Lions in Week 10 tie – NFL Preview
Minnesota Vikings will be up against their National Football Conference (NFC) North opponents Detroit Lions as they play their Week 10 game on Sunday, November 11, 2012, at Mall of America Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
It will be the second tie between Lions and Vikings this season. The first one went to the Vikings with a superb 20-13 victory in Week 4.
Lions have finally started to flex their muscles after a dismal start to the season. The team has won three of their last four games.
Vikings are hoping to end their two-game losing run and go into their bye week with a victory.
Although placed at the bottom of divisional standings, Lions are now increasing their chances for the playoffs.
The team is working hard to give good output in absence of many starters due to injuries. Talking about this issue, Lions defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said:
"This year we've done something unusual because we've had up to five starters out of games and we're doing okay. I think we're giving up like 18 points or something a game (on defence). Other teams have their starters and the backups don't get a chance to
develop.”
The defence is coming off a good show against Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 9, allowing just 279 yards in the game.
Lions offence has not been up to the mark throughout this season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford has scored a mere eight touchdowns in eight games.
This is a stark reduction as compared to the last season when he scored a total of 41 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Stafford has also thrown seven interceptions.
Moreover, he is not getting the due support from wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who has received 48 passes for 767 yards and a single touchdown.
Vikings offence will get a boost in running game as running back Adrian Peterson is likely to return to the field on Sunday.
Vikings’ receiving corps lacks the exquisite play of wide receiver Percy Harvin. Quarterback Christian Ponder has struggled to pass the ball in Harvin’s absence. Giving his views about passing game, Ponder said:
"We've seen what the passing game can do in the early season. We just have to get back to that. We're good at throwing the ball. We've got good receivers. We have good blocking up front, I just have to keep doing a better job of getting the ball in their
hands.”
Vikings defence is going strong with defensive end Jared Allen at his usual best, piling up sacks regularly. Allen has currently recorded 7.5 sacks this season.
Both Vikings and Lions have played 102 games against each other. Vikings have won 67 games and Lions have won 33 games. Two games ended in a tie.
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