Probably the greatest matchups of the NFL weekend options two groups which are robust contenders within the NFC.
The Vikings are coming off a bye following a victory over the Jets in London. We all know what the Vikings protection is thru 5 video games: It’s going to blitz all day (MIN leads the NFL in blitzes with 106). And because of this, the Vikes lead the league in pressures and stress price (32.6%).
Jared Goff has traditionally struggled with stress up the center, and what has made Minnesota’s blitzes so efficient is Brian Flores disguising the place the blitz is coming from. The counter, in fact, is that the Lions have the highest offensive line within the league, and towards the blitz, Goff can have alternatives for explosive performs down the sector with Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown in one-on-one matchups with the Vikings corners.
For Minnesota, I can’t recover from the 2 conferences final yr when Kevin O’Connell confronted the Lions. Detroit gained each, however the Vikings had a ton of success offensively, shifting up and down the sector. Nick Mullens threw for 411 yards with no run recreation, however he additionally threw 4 picks. The Vikings additionally threw for 7.6 yards per play in a December loss.
Within the rematch within the remaining week of the season, the Vikings rang up 448 yards of offense (6.4 yards per play) in one other loss. Mullens threw for 396 yards and Justin Jefferson dominated once more (he had 18 catches, 333 yards and two TDs throughout each video games).
Sam Darnold is an improve from Mullens, and we’ll see if Aaron Jones is again from the hip harm. With out him, the Minnesota offense seemed pedestrian within the second half towards the Jets.
When you consider the Vikings are the aspect, and also you wish to get out in entrance of the futures market, the Minnesota schedule is extraordinarily favorable going ahead. It’s going to for certain be favored in no less than its subsequent 4 video games, and maybe effectively into December.
If the Vikings win right here, they’ll have the within observe on the No. 1 seed within the NFC.
PICK: Vikings (-120) to win outright
Jason McIntyre is a FOX Sports activities betting analyst who additionally writes concerning the NFL and NBA Draft. Earlier than arriving at FOX, he created the web site The Large Lead. Comply with him on Twitter @JasonRMcIntyre.
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