Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Key information and first quarter discussion

It seems like this has been the longest “short week” ever, doesn’t it? It’s officially over now, though, as we’re less than an hour away from kickoff of Week 14 in the National Football League, featuring the Detroit Lions coming to U.S. Bank Stadium to take on your Minnesota Vikings in an NFC North showdown.

Here’s everything you need to know about today’s game.

Date and Time: Sunday, 8 December, 2019, noon Central time

Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Television coverage: KSTP-9 in the Twin Cities, FOX affiliates around the country, DirecTV Channel 712

Radio Coverage: Vikings Radio Network, Sirius Channel 82, XM Channel 227, SiriusXM App Channel 819

Line: Vikings -13.5, Over/Under 42.5

Chris’ Prediction: Vikings 34, Lions 17

Three Keys

1) Get after David Blough early and often - Just like the last time the Vikings played at home, a team is coming in as a double-digit underdog with a rookie quarterback making his first road start. I would love to see the Vikings take a much different tack with Blough. . .who looked alright on Thanksgiving. . .than they did in that game and just blitz him from every angle all the time. There’s no reason to lay back and give him time to pick you apart. Get after this kid and make him regret his life choices.

2) Get off to a fast start - The Lions’ defense is bad. They’re terrible against the pass and they’re not exactly great against the run. In the last game between these two teams, the Vikings got down early and had to battle back. This time, they need to be the aggressors, even if that means not deferring on the coin toss if you win and just stuffing it down Detroit’s throat. You’re the better team, and you’re in your house. . .act like it.

3) Get Monday night in the rear view mirror - The Vikings lost a tough one on Monday night, and now they have a stretch where they play all of their division opponents at home over the next four weeks. While the odds are good that they’re going to make the postseason, they aren’t there yet, and they need to keep that in mind as they take the field this afternoon.

Know the Foe: Pride of Detroit

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That should be all of the information you need for this one, folks. Remember, as always, we put up a new Open Thread at the start of each quarter, so keep your eyes open and move the discussion accordingly.

With that, let’s all meet up here again in about three hours or so to celebrate the Vikings moving to 9-4, shall we?

SKOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL VIKINGS!!!!