Vikings @ Lions

[diehardtwinsfan]

So... the Lions got absolutely hosed on Monday night...My wife's family is from MI and it hurts for me to say that... just as much as it hurts for me to be rooting for them over GB..

 

But Packers favoritism...

 

Anyways, I expect the refs to be out in full force against us... Maybe we get lucky and Goddell has instructed them to call the fairest game possible so that everyone watching it will see it, but I'm guessing we're more likely going to see the worng end of bad calls.

 

If you want some action then what you'll see here tomorrow, join our support group:

 

http://purplepain.proboards.com/thread/2350/week-vikings-lions-support-group

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

So much for elite defense....

[Vanimal46]

So much for elite defense....

The secondary has been awful today. The entire unit is playing undisciplined and soft at the worst times.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Something lit a fire under this offense.

[Vanimal46]

Something lit a fire under this offense.

Thanks Diggs?? Since his little dilemma Cousins has been on fire.

 

Stefanski called a near perfect game today. The OL gave Kirk time, and if he has time, he can make magic happen.

 

Glad to see the offense picked up the slack today! The defense didn't play well enough to win...

[Mike Sixel]

Great win. Still not a Super Bowl team, but great win

[Badsmerf]

Great win. Still not a Super Bowl team, but great win

I'm not convinced either way. Offense has been lights out lately. In this league, if you can score, you can beat anyone.

[Vanimal46]

Great win. Still not a Super Bowl team, but great win

I feel very confident saying the Patriots will represent the AFC. There's 5-6 teams in the mix in the NFC and the Vikings are definitely one of them.

[Danchat]

Weird how three weeks ago we lamented the ruin of the offense, and now the offense is Super Bowl-caliber and the defense is struggling. An NFL season is truly full of ups and downs.

 

I'm happy to see Cousins living up to his contract, and the O-line looks like it's figuring things out. Cook is now a top NFL HB, and even without Thielen they moved the ball effortlessly.

 

Meanwhile on defense, Rhodes just looks cooked. I also think they need to add a pass rusher, as they're getting zero pressure from anyone outside of Hunter and Griffen (except when Barr or Alexander blitz). I've also noticed that Zimmer's defenses usually play much, much better in home games and struggle to rush the passer in road games.

[Badsmerf]

Weird how three weeks ago we lamented the ruin of the offense, and now the offense is Super Bowl-caliber and the defense is struggling. An NFL season is truly full of ups and downs.

 

I'm happy to see Cousins living up to his contract, and the O-line looks like it's figuring things out. Cook is now a top NFL HB, and even without Thielen they moved the ball effortlessly.

 

Meanwhile on defense, Rhodes just looks cooked. I also think they need to add a pass rusher, as they're getting zero pressure from anyone outside of Hunter and Griffen (except when Barr or Alexander blitz). I've also noticed that Zimmer's defenses usually play much, much better in home games and struggle to rush the passer in road games.

I've thought since day 1 defense was a weakness. Some guys (Barr, Smith) have played better than I thought they would, which has helped.

 

Offense was struggling because of the run-first, conservative play calling. After Diggs complained, offense has opened up. Cousins is making big time throws and taking chances. Can he continue to play like this? I hope so.

 

Any word on Thielen? WR is very top heavy on this team, Vikes need him healthy by the end of the year. Hamstrings are rough, make him rest until he is fully healthy. Allowing it to linger just to win regular season games it dumb.

[gunnarthor]

The o-line looks so much better these last few games, I can't even believe it. I liked seeing Elflin getting into fights at the end of the game with the Lions d-line. IF the line improvement is real, this offense is good enough.

 

Defensively, Kendricks and Barr have been awesome. The secondary is a bit off but i think they can fix that. Hughes needs reps but I think he'll be ok in the long run. I was surprised on how little pressure we got Sunday, not sure how they fix that b/c Griffen and Hunter have looked good. 

 

But this looks like a playoff team now.

[Mike Sixel]

The o-line looks so much better these last few games, I can't even believe it. I liked seeing Elflin getting into fights at the end of the game with the Lions d-line. IF the line improvement is real, this offense is good enough.

 

Defensively, Kendricks and Barr have been awesome. The secondary is a bit off but i think they can fix that. Hughes needs reps but I think he'll be ok in the long run. I was surprised on how little pressure we got Sunday, not sure how they fix that b/c Griffen and Hunter have looked good.

 

But this looks like a playoff team now.

Need to try a random faster player on the inside on third and long. Their inside guys are doing nothing to get pressure this year. This was a predictable issue, but given their other, larger, holes, one they had to hope on, rather than put big investments in.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Weird how three weeks ago we lamented the ruin of the offense, and now the offense is Super Bowl-caliber and the defense is struggling. An NFL season is truly full of ups and downs.

 

I'm happy to see Cousins living up to his contract, and the O-line looks like it's figuring things out. Cook is now a top NFL HB, and even without Thielen they moved the ball effortlessly.

 

Meanwhile on defense, Rhodes just looks cooked. I also think they need to add a pass rusher, as they're getting zero pressure from anyone outside of Hunter and Griffen (except when Barr or Alexander blitz). I've also noticed that Zimmer's defenses usually play much, much better in home games and struggle to rush the passer in road games.

 

I think the problem is interior pressure. Hunter and Griff are #1 and #3 in the league in QB pressures... If they had any kind of pass rush up the middle, the D would be immensely better... This is where I wish they had an Aaron Donald type presence to pair with Joseph... 

 

I'm not ready to crown the offense there... but I will say that they didn't play nearly this well very often at all last year, so I take that as a positive sign.. and weak pass rush or not the line has been doing significantly better. Stefanski is doing a good job dialing up the right type of plays too... but I'd argue it's back on Zimmer's shoulder a bit... The D needs to do better, especially in those first halves. Rhodes and Waynes are both playing themselves off the team next year. I'm not sure what's going on, but both seem to have problems covering guys. Hill is back after this game, and I wouldn't be surprised if he quickly replaces one of them.