For an opponent so strongly defined by its passing game, the Minnesota Vikings sure have done a great job slowing down Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions.
Problem is, the Lions defense seems to have the Vikings’ number as well.
Since Mike Zimmer took over in 2014, the Vikings are 2-5 against Detroit. When they score over 20 points, they are 2-0. When they score below 20 points, they’re 0-5.
It seems like a simple formula Thursday in the Motor City.
“We haven’t scored enough points [against Detroit],” said Zimmer. “Sixteen, 13 twice I believe, kicked a 60-yard field goal once, and last [game] was 14-7.”
The Vikings have lost three consecutive games to Detroit. Neither team has exceeded 16 points in regulation in any of the games. The Lions did reach 22 points in overtime in last year’s Week 9 game at U.S. Bank Stadium.
But Minnesota has done a marvelous job of keeping Stafford, the former No. 1 overall pick, in check. When facing Zimmer’s Vikings, Stafford has thrown for just 220 yards per game. His career average is 278.
Only once has Stafford exceeded 65 percent passing in those seven games, and he’s been sacked a combined 21 times.
Vikings quarterbacks, on the other hand, have been downright bad, at times, against Detroit in recent years. Teddy Bridgewater threw five interceptions in two losses against the Lions his rookie season, Sam Bradford was stuck below 7.0 yards per attempt in his two losses last year, and Case Keenum completed just 53 percent of his passes in the Vikings 14-7 loss in Week 4.
The Lions have an opportunistic, ball-hawking defense that knows how to take the ball away. They are currently tied for fifth at plus-7 in the take-give.
Detroit recovered three fumbles against Minnesota back on Oct. 1, including a late strip of Adam Thielen that clinched the victory. Last Thanksgiving, Darius Slay stepped in front of Thielen for a pivotal late-game interception that led to Matt Prater’s game-winning field goal.
“They play tight in coverage,” said Zimmer earlier this season. “They are very well coached scheme-wise, fundamentally sound, and they are around the football, so they end up getting a lot of picks.”
The Vikings have matched the Lions’ tight coverage with some excellent work of their own against Detroit’s standout receivers. Neither Calvin Johnson (now retired) or Golden Tate have exceeded 90 yards against Zimmer’s defense.
Having Xavier Rhodes helps.
Stefon Diggs, though, has been a thorn in Detroit’s side over the past three years. The third-year receiver has missed two of five games against the Lions due to injury, but he’s put up the following box scores when healthy:
2015, Week 7: 6 receptions, 108 yards, 1 touchdown; 1 carry, 9 yards
2016, Week 12: 13 receptions, 80 yards; 1 carry, 12 yards
2017, Week 4: 5 receptions, 98 yards
If the Vikings are going to crack Detroit’s defense — which has been vulnerable at home, allowing 24.8 points per game — then Diggs’ presence will be a big factor.
It could be another black-and-blue Thanksgiving affair.
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