Detroit Lions: 5 Most Important Games in 2015

Dec 14, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Joique Bell (35) gets group tackled by the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Lions win 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, September 20th at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 pm)

Nobody would mistake the 2014 Lions’ offense with the 2013 Broncos or 2007 Patriots, as they ranked just 19th in total yards per game (340.8) and 22nd in points per game (20.1). Still, the Minnesota Vikings were able to completely shut down the Lions’ offense, limiting Detroit to just 33 points and 488 yards in two games.

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Detroit was able to win both games, however, because of their strong defense, which held Minnesota to 17 points and 572 yards in total. Granted, Minnesota was without Adrian Peterson in both games, and Teddy Bridgewater was still a rookie. The addition of Peterson and the development of Bridgewater combined with the loss of Ndamukong Suh on the Lions’ defense could close the gap between the Vikings and Lions in 2015.

What makes this game so important for the Lions, however, is where it falls on the schedule. Detroit has a brutal five-game gauntlet to start the season, which includes two games on the West Coast (one against the defending NFC Champion Seahawks) and home games against the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals. The only “break” the Lions get is a Week 2 trip to Minnesota – if the Lions don’t win this game, they could potentially be looking at an 0-5 start which would likely end their playoff hopes.

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