Minnesota Vikings: 4 Steps to Beating the Lions
By Luke Sims
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings (3-2) take on the Detroit Lions (1-5) on Sunday in a divisional matchup that could have strong implications on the playoff fortunes of both teams. The Vikings are trying to stay relevant in what looks to be a wildcard bid behind the Green Bay Packers (6-0) while the Lions are struggling to prove that they still deserve to be considered a playoff-caliber team.
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While many have already written the Lions off after their horrendous start to the season, this is still a team that was 11-5 a year ago and has the potential to not just compete with other teams, but to beat them. Last place doesn’t suit this unit and climbing up the division with a win over the Vikings would be a way out of the NFC North basement.
All things considered, this should be a game the Minnesota Vikings walk away from with a W. The primary concern is the offensive line and a propensity of the entire team to “play down” to the opposition’s level. This was especially apparent in the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers (2-5) and last week’s victory over the Kansas City Chiefs (1-5).
There are four components of the game that the Vikings will have to focus on for the team to come away from this game with a victory.
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