| Since quarterback Christian Ponder’s first career start on Oct. 23, 2011, Percy Harvin has led the NFL with 89 receptions, ahead of New England’s Wes Welker (87) and Atlanta’s Roddy White (85). (US Presswire) |
Vikings at Lions -- Week 4
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Mich. (turf, indoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Lions by 4.5
Records: Vikings (Overall: 2-1, NFC North: 0-0); Lions (Overall: 1-2, NFC West: 0-0)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Dec. 11, 2011: Lions 34, Vikings 28; Sept. 25, 2011: Lions, Vikings 23. Series record: Vikings lead the series 66-33-2.
What matters: Sunday’s game against the Lions is a big one for the Vikings, as matchups against NFC North Division teams are scarce for Minnesota until the latter part of the season. After this game, the Vikings don’t play another NFC North opponent until Nov. 11 against the Lions, and they play NFC North teams five out of the last seven weeks. It is crucial secure a win in Detroit and get a leg up in the division. To do so, the Vikings need to build on the big win against San Francisco. The defense dominated the 49ers grinding-style offense, but now it will face a more high-powered one with QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson. It will be the biggest test so for the young, rebuilt secondary, which will be missing one its starters, S Mistral Raymond. The Vikings will have likely have to double-team Johnson and that will put pressure on the rest of the unit. Last week, the defense played its best game, and it needs an even better one against the Lions.
Who matters: QB Christian Ponder is coming off what many are calling his best game as a pro, and the key will be for him to validate it with another such performance. Ponder has managed the game well for the Vikings. He has yet to throw an interception -- although he has come very close several times -- and he has put points on the board in crucial moments of games with the short, underneath passes that have led to a 70.1 completion percentage that's second in the league. This week, Ponder adds a new weapon to his arsenal, as WR Jerome Simpson returns from his three-game suspension for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. Simpson’s speed should help the offense stretch the field and open things up for other players such as RB Adrian Peterson and WR Percy Harvin. Simpson will be rusty and will need to get up to game speed before he becomes a huge factor, but he and Ponder built plenty of chemistry during the preseason and the pair may be able to rediscover that against Detroit.
Key matchups: The Lions have one of the higher-profile defensive lines in football with Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairly and Kyle Vanden Bosch, but they have yet to make a big splash this season. The Vikings offensive line’s ability to keep that trend going with another clean game for Ponder is crucial to their chances of winning at Ford Field. The Lions defense is ranked 20th against the pass and 11th against the run, and it has sacked opposing quarterbacks seven times, which is tied for 10th with the Vikings and several other teams. If the offensive line can protect Ponder and give him time to make good decisions and accurate throws, the Vikings’ run-first, throw-short second and go-deep third offense will have some room to operate.
Injuries of note: LB Erin Henderson has not passed the concussion protocol to return to action set by the NFL and did not practice. Coach Leslie Frazier said if Henderson passes the tests Friday the team would consider playing him Sunday. Raymond will be out for some time with a bone bruise on his ankle. Last year's starting safety, Jamarca Sanford, will start in his place. The Vikings have monitored the progress all week of Lions QB Matthew Stafford, who suffered a leg injury last Sunday against the Titans, and Stafford returned to practice on Thursday.
Inside stuff: Harvin can catch the ball. He currently leads the league with 27 receptions out of 32 targets. Harvin and Ponder have become quite a duo. Since Ponder’s first career start on Oct. 23, 2011, Harvin has led the NFL with 89 receptions, ahead of New England's Wes Welker (87) and Atlanta's Roddy White (85).
Connections: Vikings GM Rick Spielman’s playing career never panned out, but his front office career did -- and they both started in Detroit. Spielman attended training camp with the Lions as a player and received his first NFL personnel experience with the Lions when he served as a college scout and later a pro scout. Spielman’s brother, Chris, played eight seasons (1988-95) at linebacker for the Lions.
Stat you should know : Harvin leads the NFL since the start of last season in kickoff return average at 31.7 yards per return....After catching two touchdown passes against the 49ers, TE Kyle Rudolph is tied for 3rd in the league with three touchdown receptions...Ponder is second in the NFL with 70.1% completion percentage and ranks 5th in the NFL with a passer rating of 104.9....The Vikings defense is tied for fourth in the league for touchdowns allowed with five (1.67 pg).
Record watch: Last week versus the 49ers, WR Michael Jenkins caught one pass for 8 yards to extend his streak of 55 consecutive games with a reception in which he’s played. He will try to add to that streak against the Lions, but the return to the lineup of WR Jerome Simpson may limit some of his opportunities. With a 52-yard FG against the 49ers, K Blair Walsh set the team record with three consecutive games making a 50+ yard FG. Walsh is also the 1st rookie in NFL history to kick a 50-yard field goal in each of his team’s first 3 games.
Looking ahead: The Vikings host the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 7 at 4:35 p.m. ET. It is one of only four Vikings games this season that is not played at 1 p.m. ET. The Lions are on bye next week before heading to Philadelphia to face the Eagles on Oct. 14.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Lions 20
For more Vikings news and notes, follow Joe Oberle on Twitter @CBSVikings.