Week 7: VIKINGS (5-0) vs. Lions (4-1)

[vike daddy]

O'Connell: "There'll be a ton of juice in the building, and we've got to have some good days of preparation coming off the bye. We had a good short day on Monday. We'll get back in the pads today and continue our prep throughout the week, but it's a very important week of preparation because we're playing one of the best teams in the National Football League."

"Really good team in all three phases. Dan is one of the best coaches in our league, and his team and his staff, everything that they've got going on is going to be a heck of a challenge. And really, with how well everybody's playing in our division, these division games are going to be really, really important."

vikings.com

Minnesota Nice.

[vike daddy]

Vikings Offensive Coordinator Wes Phillips said that Detroit's talent up front goes beyond Hutchinson:

"Those interior guys are really good players – McNeil and Reader. [Josh] Paschal, who came in after Hutchinson, is a really good player. And then they have very extensive pressure packages, particularly on third downs. Alex Anzalone is a very good blitzer. … They understand protections. … They're not just throwing things against the wall and seeing if it sticks."

vikings.com

[vike daddy]

The Lions boast the No. 1 scoring offense (30.2 ppg). They're seventh in third-down conversion rate at 44.8% and fourth in successful drive percentage (48.2% of possessions end in an offensive score) and third with 6.3 yards gained per play. They're a juggernaut that avoids being attacked by doing the attacking.

Flores: "There's not a lot of weaknesses here. They've got a really good group. They're well-coached, they're physical, they can play a variety of styles – power run game, drop-back, play action, screens, short, intermediate and deep throws. Got a lot of speed. They pose a lot of problems."

Flores is tasked with trying to force the Lions to do what they haven't - Detroit has turned the ball over only four times in five games and Goff has been sacked nine times (tied for fourth fewest among five-game starters).

vikings.com

if Flores can do his thing against the Detroit O, sounds like it will be a different ball game for them. hopefully they'll have trouble adapting.

real coaches' duel coming up.

[vike daddy]

Vikings running back Aaron Jones did not practice Wednesday with a right hamstring injury. Jones said he hopes to practice Thursday, though Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was noncommittal on Jones’ availability for Sunday.

O’Connell: “Aaron is going to progress throughout the week and hopefully has a chance to go on Sunday."

Jones said he originally felt tightness in his right hip during pregame warmups before the Week 5 game. He made a leaping catch on the second possession and left the game after two more carries.

Linebacker Blake Cashman (toe), cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip), outside linebacker Patrick Jones II (shoulder) and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips (shoulder) also did not practice Wednesday.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/aaron-jones-sits-out-practice-with-a-hamstring-injury

[wcblack34]

11 minutes ago, vike daddy said:

Vikings running back Aaron Jones did not practice Wednesday with a right hamstring injury. Jones said he hopes to practice Thursday, though Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell was noncommittal on Jones’ availability for Sunday.

O’Connell: “Aaron is going to progress throughout the week and hopefully has a chance to go on Sunday."

Jones said he originally felt tightness in his right hip during pregame warmups before the Week 5 game. He made a leaping catch on the second possession and left the game after two more carries.

Linebacker Blake Cashman (toe), cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip), outside linebacker Patrick Jones II (shoulder) and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips (shoulder) also did not practice Wednesday.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/aaron-jones-sits-out-practice-with-a-hamstring-injury

If Phillips can’t go, that’s gonna be a huge blow to the middle of the defense. Especially with Cashman out. 

[marshpit23]

On 10/14/2024 at 10:43 AM, VikeManDan said:

Hoping that the WR group can have a big day. T. Arnold has been quite handsy through 6 weeks.

Heck yes! You go right after him. Take the reception or the penalty. Justin and Addison will a lot of pressure on Detroit’s defensive backfield. Let it fly Sammy.

 

[viking]

On 10/14/2024 at 3:04 PM, swede700 said:

FWIW, for as prolific as Detroit's offense has been, it should be noted that these are the defensive DVOA rankings of their opponents thus far...

Rams --> 30th

Bucs --> 13th (lost)

Cardinals --> 23rd

Seahawks --> 18th

Cowboys --> 27th

 

 

 

Also have to factor the decimation of the Seahawks & Cowboys injuries when they played

Seahawks out

LB Jerome Baker

LB Boye Mafe

DT Byron Murphy

LB Uchenna Nwosu

DE Leonard Williams

 

5 of their starting front 7 out 

 

Cowboys Designated as Out & Questionable

 

Out:

• LB Micah Parsons (Ankle)
• LB Eric Kendricks (Shoulder/Calf)
• DeMarcus Lawerence (Foot)

Questionable:

• CB DaRon Bland (Foot)
• CB Caelen Carson (Shoulder)
• LB Nick Vigil (Foot)

4 starters and 2 contributors out or heavily banged up.

 

The Lions laid the smackdown on beat up teams - We'll see how they fare against a healthier front 7 & a healthier overall defense

 

[HEYPAUL!]

15 hours ago, vike daddy said:

will Pace now? KGH?

I heard KOC mention Pace gets the calls now

[GermanVike]

3 hours ago, viking said:

Also have to factor the decimation of the Seahawks & Cowboys injuries when they played

Seahawks out

LB Jerome Baker

LB Boye Mafe

DT Byron Murphy

LB Uchenna Nwosu

DE Leonard Williams

 

5 of their starting front 7 out 

 

Cowboys Designated as Out & Questionable

 

Out:

• LB Micah Parsons (Ankle)
• LB Eric Kendricks (Shoulder/Calf)
• DeMarcus Lawerence (Foot)

Questionable:

• CB DaRon Bland (Foot)
• CB Caelen Carson (Shoulder)
• LB Nick Vigil (Foot)

4 starters and 2 contributors out or heavily banged up.

 

The Lions laid the smackdown on beat up teams - We'll see how they fare against a healthier front 7 & a healthier overall defense

 

Despite the bye, it does not look like we'll be healthy on defense at all.

[swede700]

1 hour ago, GermanVike said:

Despite the bye, it does not look like we'll be healthy on defense at all.

Not practicing on Wednesday isn't that big of a deal as banged-up veterans generally get that day off.  More important are the next 2 days, especially Friday.

[VikeManDan]

"The Lions have a pair of new cornerbacks after trading for Carlton Davis III and making Terrion Arnold a first-round draft choice, but their physical style remains. They lead the NFL this season in penalties for defensive pass interference (10) and defensive holding (five)."

"Officials won't throw flags on every play and, in Sunday's case, referee Clay Martins' crew has totaled six combined penalties for pass interference, illegal contact or defensive holding in five games."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41831707/will-lions-physical-style-slow-vikings-justin-jefferson-nfc-north

Seems like Martins' crew likes to let them play.

[swede700]

6 minutes ago, VikeManDan said:

"The Lions have a pair of new cornerbacks after trading for Carlton Davis III and making Terrion Arnold a first-round draft choice, but their physical style remains. They lead the NFL this season in penalties for defensive pass interference (10) and defensive holding (five)."

"Officials won't throw flags on every play and, in Sunday's case, referee Clay Martins' crew has totaled six combined penalties for pass interference, illegal contact or defensive holding in five games."

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41831707/will-lions-physical-style-slow-vikings-justin-jefferson-nfc-north

Seems like Martins' crew likes to let them play.

That's funny because I think last year they seemed to be one of the flag-happiest, if I recall correctly.

[Nbanflguy]

How did we pick up all of these new injuries during the bye week?

[vike daddy]

1 minute ago, Nbanflguy said:

How did we pick up all of these new injuries during the bye week?

maybe the injuries happened after the last game but they don't have to release the info until now?

[Nbanflguy]

1 minute ago, vike daddy said:

maybe the injuries happened after the last game but they don't have to release the info until now?

I dont remember Cashman leaving the game against the Jets though. So he got injured and played the rest of the way, but cant go 14 days and maybe even 18 days later?