There's what should happen and then there's what could happen. We know what the Lions should do to a decimated Minnesota Vikings team. Potentially without their starting quarterback and running back, the Lions should walk out of Ford Field with a victory. After all, they have a lot to prove after the last 2 weeks, don't they? Well, we may think so but that doesn't mean the team realizes it. It begs the question, can players who are even capable of committing the kind of inexcusable acts the Lions have over the last two weeks, learn from those same mistakes? Believe the unbelievable when Jared Allen or another Viking tries to get under the skin of a Lion in hopes of getting a reaction. We'll find out what that reaction will be starting today and over the course of these next 3 weeks.
Just out of curiosity, is it worse to push a defenseless referee or to kick a guy's arm?
Despite an extreme lack of talent, the Vikings have played well at times this season. Like any team in the NFL, if you don't prepare for them or take them lightly, they can bite you. The Lions should be aware of this as it took a monumental comeback and overtime to beat them in week 3. There's nothing the Vikings would like more than to play spoiler and defeat their division rivals. Although, I'm not sure they would be spoiling anything.
There is so much that has to happen for this year's Lions to separate themselves from being just another mediocre football team. So far, they haven't done them. The kind of mental errors they've had just don't equate to success. The only thing this team has going for it is the hot start to the season. They're clinging to that as they've now lost 5 of 7 and have put themselves in a bad spot. If the playoffs started today, the Lions would be watching from home (and not because they'd have a first round bye.)
The Lions must not look past this team nor will a sloppy win suffice. There's a lot they need to accomplish today including stopping the run and establishing their own. Whether Adrian Peterson is healthy or not, the Vikings can run the ball. When a team can do that, it opens up everything else in terms of moving the ball down the field and before you know it, you've got a ball game on your hands.
The rest of the schedule is a bit of a gauntlet. In my opinion, the Lions need to win 3 out of their last 4 as well as get some help from other teams in order to get into the playoffs. The Lions have some injuries of their own and those guys who step in to play better be ready because when the 4th quarter comes around, the entire season may be on the line.
Let's assume this team has re-focused and will come ready to play.
Prediction: Lions 28, Vikings 23
Players to watch: Toby Gerhart, Percy Harvin
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