The Lions play the Vikings this week at home.
This week the Lions get a break from their string of tough opponents when they face the 2 - 10 Minnesota Vikings this week at Ford Field. Or do they get a break? We'll find out what the Lions will truly be facing when we take a look Behind the Numbers after the jump.......
BY THE NUMBERS - VIKINGS OFFENSIVE RANKS
Passing - 26th (tied) overall, 194.1 ypg, 0.83 INT's pg, 3.06 sacks pg, 79.1 composite QB rating
Rushing - 6th overall, 135.3 ypg, 27.5 attempts pg, 1.125 TD's pg, 0.25 fumbles pg
BY THE NUMBERS - VIKINGS DEFENSIVE RANKS
Passing - 26th overall, 252.2 ypg, 2 TD's apg, 0.5 INT's pg, 2.94 sacks per game, 106.5 opponent composite QB rating.
Rushing - 12th overall, 103.8 ypg, 27.6 attempts pg, 0.75 TD's apg, 0.25 forced fumbles per game.
Looking at the numbers, it's easy to see why this is a 2-10 team. The Donovan McNabb lobotomy of early in the year has improved slowly, one may even say "Ponderously", but the passing game is still insignificant for the Vikings, who may be without Christian Ponder this week and may be forced to start Joe Webb. Although they have good offensive rushing numbers, the Vikings will be without their All-Pro threat Adrian Peterson (probably), and will be starting the less-talented but still hard-nosed Toby Gerheardt. Defensively, the Vikings are a mess. They still get their sack numbers, thanks to premiere Defensive End Jared Allen, but they very little else on the defense to complement him. They give up a tremendous amount of yards through the air and this week should be no exception. In order to see the complete picture though, I will once again break down the
composite stats of all the Vikings opponents thus far, versus where the Lions
currently rank in the same categories, that we might get a clearer picture of
how the Lions stack up quality wise vs. Vikings opponents which they have an 2-10
record against.
BY THE NUMBERS - VIKINGS OPPONENTS COMPOSITE RANKS AND AVERAGES VS. LIONS RANKS.
Passing - Vikings Opponents 241.5 ypg, 12th overall vs. Lions 281.3 ypg, 5th overall
Rushing - Vikings Opponents 117.3 ypg, 12th overall vs. Lions 102.8 ypg, 23rd overall
Defensive Passing - Vikings Opponents 243.8 ypg, 23rd overall vs. Lions 213.5 ypg, 11th overall
Defensive Rushing - Vikings Opponents 120.3 ypg, 20th overall vs. Lions 125 ypg, 22nd overall
Looking at the numbers, it's clear that the Lions are at least in the same class, if not clearly better in some categories, as the opponents which have handed the Vikings their 2-10 record thus far. It's important to note however that this Vikings team led the Lions by 17 points in their first meeting prior to melting down in the second half, and the Lions team facing them this time around will be without Ndamukong Suh, Lawrence Jackson, Justin Durant, Chris Houston, and Louis Delmas. With almost half of their defensive starters missing, the Lions will have to step up their run defense, stack the box, and challenge the Vikings to beat them through the air. Let's take a look at the quality of the Lions opponents thus far to complete our
look Behind the Numbers.
BY THE NUMBERS - LIONS OPPONENTS COMPOSITE RANKS
Offensive Passing - 231.5 ypg, 13th overall
Offensive Rushing - 122.45 ypg 9th overall
Defensive Passing - 247.6 ypg, 24th overall
Defensive Rushing - 109.3 ypg, 14th overall
The Quality of opponents the Lions have faced thus far to achieving their 7-5 mark compares quite favorably to the Vikings marks, other than the Vikings offensive passing. Although the Lions have injury issues, the Vikings have injuries to deal with as well. Starting CB Antoine Winfield is done for the year. Sometime starter CB Chris Cook has been reinstated by the Vikings, but hasn't practiced yet this week, maybe they aren't convinced that he isn't finished strangling his girlfriend yet.
With "Goody-two-shoes" Goodell in attendence this week, the sideshow should be just as interesting as the game for the following reasons:
1) Will Goodell's attendence halt the Lion's on-field disciplinary meltdown?
2) With many questionable flags flying against the Lion's, along with the many reasonable ones, will Goodell's presence moderate the blizzard of yellow hankees, or will he merely be an interested observer at the Referee's continued "Let's make the Lions pay" episode?
3) Will Goodell answer any questions honestly, or will he engage solely in politico double-speak?
Prediction - Lion's are all business this week, and it shows on the scoreboard. Lions 45 - Vikings 24
This has been Behind the Numbers, see you again next week!
Good post bro. Man, I see the Lions really lighting the Vikings up on offense this week, especially if Kevin Smith can play. I am also concerned with the injuries to our defense, which may allow a depleted Viking's offense to do some damage. I think your score prediction is realistic, but my hope is that we will limit them to less than 3 TDs. I can see 2 rushing TDs...one by Webb and one by Gerhart (if Webb is the starting QB). If Webb starts, I do not see the Vikings throwing a ton, and even with our defense being thinned by injury I still think they can prevent a passing TD by Minnesota.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that the Lions will come out of this game with an 8-5 record. Thanks for the ammo. It's time to write the Weekend Spotlight!
FYI...I could care less what Goodell does or doesn't do. This is going to be a major ass kicking by the Lions either way!