One of the finest matches of the NFL weekend functions 2 groups that are strong competitors in the NFC.
The Vikings are coming off a bye following a triumph over the Jets in London. We understand what the Vikings defense is through 5 videogames: It is going to blitz all day (MIN leads the NFL in blitzes with 106). And as a result, the Vikes lead the league in pressures and pressure rate (32.6%).
Jared Goff has traditionally hadahardtime with pressure up the middle, and what hasactually made Minnesota’s blitzes so reliable is Brian Flores camouflaging where the blitz is coming from. The counter, of course, is that the Lions have the leading offending line in the league, and versus the blitz, Goff will have chances for dynamite plays down the field with Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown in individually matches with the Vikings corners.
For Minnesota, I can’t get over the 2 conferences last year when Kevin O’Connell dealtwith the Lions. Detroit won both, however the Vikings had a heap of success offensively, moving up and down the field. Nick Mullens tossed for 411 lawns with no run videogame, however he likewise tossed 4 choices. The Vikings likewise tossed for 7.6 lawns per play in a December loss.
In the rematch in the last week of the season, the Vikings called up 448 lawns of offense (6.4 backyards per play) in another loss. Mullens tossed for 396 backyards and Justin Jefferson controlled onceagain (he had 18 captures, 333 backyards and 2 TDs throughout both videogames).
Sam Darnold is an upgrade from Mullens, and we’ll see if Aaron Jones is back from the hip injury. Without him, the Minnesota offense looked pedestrian in the 2nd half versus the Jets.
If you think the Vikings are the side, and you desire to get out in front of the futures market, the Minnesota schedule is very beneficial going forward. It’ll for sure be preferred in at least its next 4 videogames, and possibly well into December.
If the Vikings win here, they’ll have the inside track on the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
PICK: Vikings (-120) to win straight-out
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports wagering expert who likewise composes about the NFL and NBA Draft. Before gettinghere at FOX, he developed the site The Big Lead. Follow him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.
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