Here's What Should Scare the Vikings About the Lions

There is little doubt that the Detroit Lions are a dangerous team. A quick look at the Lions’ numbers this season demonstrates that they can move the ball through the air. They have a dynamic quarterback in Jared Goff and a pair of dangerous receivers in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.

All three members of that trio have done quite a bit of damage to the Vikings through the years. When the Vikings pass rush has not been able to get close to Goff, he has found St. Brown running through the Vikings back seven and Williams getting over the top of the defense.

Goff has a 14-0 TD-interception ratio this season, while St. Brown is the Lions’ leading receiver with 46 receptions for 625 yards and 5 TDs. Neither of these two stars is looking at the top-ranked Vikings defense with fear. They know the success they have had against Minnesota and they are expecting more of the same at Ford Field in Week 8.

Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores has high praise for Goff’s development as a dynamic leader.

“Statistically, he’s been one of the best quarterbacks, not even statistically, period,” Flores said, per Lions beat writer Kory Woods of MLive. “He’s been one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League over a good amount of time. And so, yes, he’s grown quite a bit. And that’s what you expect as guys get more time on their belt, see more coverages, see more fronts, see more blitzes. He’s seen all the blitzes. He’s seen them all.”

Lions have additional weapons to torment Vikings

Additionally, the running of Jahmyr Gibbs can soften up the Vikings defense. He has rushed for 620 yards and 7 touchdowns through 6 games while averaging 4.6 yards per attempt.

The Lions may be a poor defensive team as they are giving up more yards and more passing yards than any team in the league. However, they have a couple of pass rushers who can cause a lot of damage and can get to QB Kyler Murray. Aidan Hutchinson and former Viking D.J. Wonnum both have 5.0 sacks this season.

If the Vikings offensive line does not have a cohesive game this week, Murray will be on the run and that duo could cause quite a few problems for the struggling Minnesota offense.

The Lions will have plenty of motivation as they are trying to chase down the Vikings (6-0) in the NFC North. They have a 4-2 record, and they have won two games in a row.

The Lions can gain national support if they are the first team to beat the Vikings this season. Head coach Dan Campbell gambles and takes way too many risks, but if he happens to hit his fourth-down moves this week, it will give the Lions a key jumping off point in this game.

The Vikings need to take advantage of the Detroit defense and get off to a sharp start. If they fall behind against Goff, St. Brown and Williams, the Lions will likely pile it on and secure a win that could serve as the launching point for their season.