Predictions Summary Projections by Position Projection Team Boxes

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Prediction: MIN 10, DET 31 (Line: DET by 7.5)

UPDATE: Reggie Bush is questionable but expected to play this week after being limited in practice because of his ankle.

This is a replay from week six when the 9-4 Lions won 17-3 in Minnesota. The 6-7 Vikings are only 2-4 in road games but on a two game winning streak. The Lions are 6-1 at home and also on a two game winning streak.

The season is winding down without any playoff payoff but at least these recent home wins have helped give the season a sense of progress. Facing two tough defenses on the road is likely more than the Vikings can handle but the season finale against the Bears gives hope of a 7-9 finish.

QUARTERBACK : Teddy Bridgewater only threw for 188 yards and no scores in the first meeting with the Lions but it was only his third game. He has since gone on a six game scoring streak including two touchdowns each in the last three games. Granted – all were at home and the 87-yard overtime touchdown catch greatly improved Bridgewater;s stats in the win over the Jets. On the road he’s never thrown more than one touchdown or for more than 241 yards.

RUNNING BACK : The first meeting with the Lions resulted in only 40 yards on 11 runs for Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata was held to a five yards loss on two carries. McKinnon is now on injured reserve because of his back leaving only Asiata, Ben Tate and Joe Banyard. Asiata was given 19 runs last week to gain 54 yards versus the Jets but the coaching staff felt that was too much for one runner and intend on using Ben Tate more than the three to five carries per week he currently gets. Banyard only had three carries over the last two weeks. That takes a bad unit and splits it up even more.

WIDE RECEIVER : Cordarrelle Patterson finally hit bottom when he had no passes last week. Greg Jennings only managed three receptions for 33 yards against the Lions and Charles Johnson was held to 22 yards on two receptions in only his second game as a Viking. Since then, Johnson has become the primary receiver and comes off 103 yards and a score on the Jets last week. His last road game was 87 yards on six catches in Chicago. Jennings remains good for only about 40 yards in most weeks.

TIGHT END : Chase Ford was held to only 37 yards on four catches in the week six matchup with the Lions. Kyle Rudolph has returned since but is no more productive with fewer than 10 yards in each of the last two games.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: The Lions allow one or two scores per opposing quarterback but never more than two and the yardage tends to remain very moderate. The Vikings were already crushed at home by the Lions and now they are on the road without McKinnon. The only fantasy plays here would be Jennings and Johnson but both have risk beyond any trash time upside.

The L:ions are still in play for the division but must match wins with the Packers and then beat them in the season finale in Green Bay – no easy feat. Taking down the Vikings and Bears should not be a problem since they have already beaten both already. What give more encouragement too is that this slew of home games at the end of the year has allowed the Lions to recover from their road woes and get players back healthy again. Road woes against good teams is something to face in January.

QUARTERBACK : Matthew Stafford was held to only 185 yards and one score in the first meeting with the Lions but that reflected success in the rushing effort and he’s managed to throw multiple touchdowns in each of the last four home games including 290 pass yards in each as well.

RUNNING BACK : In week six, Joique Bell ran for 74 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in Minnesota plus two receptions for 23 yards. Theo Riddick only gained six rushing yards but ended with 74 yards and a score on his five catches. Reggie Bush is back now so Riddick was inactive last week. But Bush has been ineffective and not scored since week three. He gets up to five catches per game and yet never does much with them. Bell continues to shine at home and scored four times in the last two weeks along with well over 100 total yards in each.

WIDE RECEIVER : Calvin Johnson was out in week six so this will be his first meeting with the Vikings this year. was held to only 44 yards on seven catches that week as the lead wide receiver. Johnson has disappointed much of the year but has roared back with a vengeance in the last two home games with over 140 yards and at least one score in each. Tate has not scored since week eight but still maintains solid yardage. This week looks like another monster game by Megatron.

TIGHT END : No fantasy value. Eric Ebron caught two passes for 23 yards in Minnesota and that is about his max.

MATCH TO THE DEFENSE: This is bound to be a better passing effort by the Lions against a Vikings secondary that regularly gives up two or three scores in road games. Bell remains a solid pick again this week but Bush hasn’t shown enough to merit consideration. Megatron is a must start and Tate is still good for at least yardage. The Lions are far better than they were in week six when this matchup was no problem.

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