Vikings vs. Lions Week 9 Preview: 4 Key Post-Bye Stats
The upcoming match between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions promises to be a defining moment in the NFC. Following their bye week, the Vikings aim to regain their strength, particularly with the return of starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. This pivotal home game will set the tone for the Lions, who are entering a crucial stretch of seven straight NFC matchups.
Vikings’ Recent Struggles and Key Returns
The Vikings have struggled recently, losing three of their last four games, including two in a row. Nevertheless, after a Thursday night game in Week 8, they have had extra time to prepare. Key players returning include offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, along with standout edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. Defensive players Blake Cashman and Harrison Smith also contributed in their previous match, enhancing the team’s defense.
Lions’ Offense Against Vikings’ Defense
Historically, the Lions have excelled against the Vikings’ defense under Brian Flores. The Lions have scored over 30 points in five consecutive victories against Flores’ teams. In their recent encounters, Detroit has dominated in several performance metrics:
- 79.5% completion percentage against the Vikings’ blitz
- 9.2 yards per pass attempt
- 115 passer rating
Jared Goff has consistently performed well against extra rushers, maintaining high completion percentages and yards per attempt. This ability will be crucial as the Vikings’ defense becomes more aggressive.
Pressure and Blitz Statistics
The Vikings currently rank first in the NFL for blitz percentage, utilizing aggressive strategies. However, their blitzing has not yielded the desired drastic results. Their statistics show a 66.3% completion percentage for passing plays while blitzing, which ranks 24th in the league.
Lions’ Adaptability to Pressure
On the flip side, the Lions have developed effective countermeasures against blitz-heavy strategies. They rank among the top teams for completion percentage and offensive success against blitzing defenses. Amon-Ra St. Brown, for instance, has thrived under these conditions, averaging 91 receiving yards per game against the Vikings.
Running Game Analysis: Lions vs. Vikings
Detroit’s rushing attack has been formidable, especially from heavier personnel formations. They lead the league in carries from 12 and 13 personnel. Countering this, the Vikings have struggled against similar rushing styles, allowing an average of 4.4 yards per rush against heavy sets.
Injury Impacts on the Vikings’ Offensive Line
The Vikings have faced significant challenges protecting their quarterbacks, allowing 49 sacks last season. Their offensive line is injury-plagued, creating instability in pass protection. Currently, the Vikings feature a staggering 30th ranking in sack rate, with a concerning 28% of pressures resulting in sacks.
As the Lions prepare to test Minnesota’s vulnerabilities, the matchup promises to deliver pivotal insights into both teams’ journeys this season. The performance of both offenses and defenses will ultimately decide who prevails in this significant NFC encounter.
