NFL Game of the Week: Vikings vs. Lions
In Week 14 of the 2022 NFL season, the 5-7 Detroit Lions open the week as home favorites against the 10-2 Vikings.
The first meeting happened in Minnesota where the Lions blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead, and the sky was falling.
The Vikings scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left on a crucial blown coverage by the Detroit secondary.
Since then, Minnesota has lost just one game to the Cowboys and Kirk Cousins has looked like a solid quarterback so far this season.
The Vikings feature the explosive duo of Justin Jefferson and Dalvin Cook on offense, and it will be a tall task for Detroit’s defense to rise to the occasion to slow them down again.
Jeff Okudah will be in action again this week after missing the game against the Bills and will be tasked with covering Jefferson.
Last game, Okudah was able to hold Jefferson to just three receptions and 16 yards on just six targets.
The task will be getting Adam Thielen and KJ Osborn open against the revamped Detroit secondary.
Kerby Joseph is now in at safety for the injured Tracy Walker and Jerry Jacobs has been activated off the PUP list starting at corner as Amani Oruwariye has been benched.
The Lions come into this game after going 3-1 in their last four games and are pushing for a wild card spot.
This has been one of the most competitive teams Detroit has fielded in a long time and the players have bought in.
Another wrinkle in this game is the previous game TJ Hockenson was on the Lions, but he was traded to the Vikings at the trade deadline.
Hockenson has given Minnesota yet another weapon that can be spread throughout the field. Meanwhile Detroit will roll with the trio of Brock Wright, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra at tight end for the rest of the season.
Detroit boasts a strong running game with the likes of D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has gotten a lot of recognition for what he has been able to do this season.
Minnesota will try to shut the run game down with linebackers Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks who have over 180 tackles on the season combined.
DJ Chark also had his best game in a Lions uniform falling just under 100 yards against the Jaguars and can be an x-factor for the offense.
Jared Goff has also seen a resurgence in play and will be facing a tough Vikings secondary that featured Harrison Smith and Patrick Peterson.
As for the playoffs, this is Detroit’s hardest game remaining and they need to win out to have a good shot at making the playoffs.
The Lions would also need some help if they were to make the playoffs as Seattle, Washington and the New York Giants are all each fighting for the last two playoff spots.
The Vikings are basically already in the playoffs, but they are chasing the Philadelphia Eagles for the top spot in the NFC.
James Morrison is a junior majoring in Broadcast Journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.
