DETROIT LIONS (0-4) | GAME #5 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-3) | |||
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Date: | October 12, 2008 | Location: | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
Time: | 12:00 P.M. CST | Stadium: | Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
TV: | FOX DirecTV Ch. 709 | Know Thy Enemy: | Pride of Detroit |
Gonzo's Prediction: | Vikings 34, Lions 13 | ||
Final Score: | Vikings 12, Lions 10 |
Yes, folks, the short week is over, and in just about an hour and a half, the Beloved Purple will be looking to get back to .500 for the first time this season as they match up with the Detroit Lions.
Like the title says, under Brad Childress, the Vikings generally don't blow teams out. . .unless they're the Lions, particularly in the cozy confines of the Metrodome. The Lions haven't won in Minneapolis since 1997, and last year's 42-10 thumping of the Lions was the biggest margin of victory the Vikings have had over anyone since Brad Childress became their head coach.
The Lions, on the other hand, have been awful this season. Don't believe me? Here are their league-wide rankings in all the major offensive and defensive categories:
Offense
Points Scored/Game - 16.5 (28th)
Total Yards/Game - 263.0 (28th)
Rushing Yards/Game - 72.2 (31st)
Passing Yards/Game - 190.8 (19th)
Defense
Points Allowed/Game - 36.8 (32nd)
Total Yards/Game - 429.0 (32nd)
Rushing Yards/Game - 180.0 (30th)
Passing Yards/Game - 249.0 (29th)
So, they're in the bottom five in the NFL in every major statistical category, except for passing yards on offense. . .and even that doesn't play much of a part going into today's game, because the Lions will NOT be starting Jon Kitna at quarterback. They'll be starting Dan Orlovsky, from all indications, and they'll have Drew Henson backing him up.
This game could get very ugly, very quickly. Hell, this game SHOULD get very ugly, very quickly. Then again, we as Viking fans know better than anybody that the way that things should go on the field isn't always the way it happens. I'm picking the Minnesota blowout today, though I almost feel bad for doing so.
Discuss the game here, folks! With the set-up the way it is, this is by far and away the best place for in-game discussion. I hope to see as big a gathering here today as we had on Monday night.
SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!