Vikings Fight To Stay Undefeated Against Surging Lions in NFC North Clash

The NFC North will see a real clash in the division-leading Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions this weekend. The 6-0 Vikings will have a tough test on the road against a surging Lions team that is finally finding their way, rattling off wins in their last two games to sit at 4-2 on the year.

Detroit has the second-best offense in the league averaging 30.7 points per game behind Jared Goff and his supporting cast of Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and several other playmakers.

But Minnesota is the last remaining team with an undefeated record, finding their way under a now-Kyler Murray led offense. The result will have major implications for the NFC North title race.

We reached out to Vikings Roundtable publisher Nick Crain and Lions Roundtable writer Adam Stark for an in-depth look at the matchup. Here's what you need to know:

Vikings RTB: The biggest storyline is the validity of what the Vikings have done thus far, as their 6-0 record would suggest they’re far and away one of the best teams in the league, but the offensive inconsistency makes it difficult to fully buy into that. Minnesota’s defense has been phenomenal, but the offense hasn’t always held up its end of the bargain. If the Vikings can beat a really good Lions team on the road, all of a sudden that 7-0 start will feel much more legitimate and give Minnesota a much stronger body of work.

Lions RTB: Detroit vs the last undefeated team. A battle of a high powered offense where Detroit has the second best EPA against a high powered defense in the Vikings who have the best defensive EPA. 

Vikings RTB: The most important matchup is Kyler Murray against Detroit’s defense and whether he can get this Minnesota offense going consistently. The Vikings’ defense has been phenomenal all season and has really driven their undefeated start, but the offense has been inconsistent both from a production standpoint and with who’s been running it, as Murray went down early in the season and Carson Wentz had to step in. This is a huge opportunity for Murray to prove he can lead this offense against a really good opponent.

Lions RTB: Dan Campbell against Kevin O’Connell. Two of the best coach’s in the NFC that are both elite on one side of the ball but weak on the other. Whichever HC outsmarts the other will come away victorious.

Vikings RTB: I’m going with Jordan Mason, who is back from injured reserve and was solid last week with 15 carries for 68 yards. His role on this team is going to be incredibly important given Aaron Jones’ age, injury concerns and the lack of proven depth in the backfield. Whether Mason ends up being a huge reason the Vikings get over the hump or struggles and contributes to the offense stalling, he feels like a player who will have a significant impact on this team’s success, good or bad.

Lions RTB: 

Jared Goff, he’s playing like an MVP, but currently has the 8th best odds to win MVP. Through 6 games here’s what Goff has done

• 150 for 223 (65.2%)

• 1,788 passing yards

• 14 pass TDs

• 1 rush TD

• 0 INTs

• 112.5 passer rating

Vikings RTB: Without question, it’s the offensive inconsistency, specifically in the passing game with Kyler Murray. The Vikings have arguably the best defense in football and a tremendous amount of talent at the skill positions, but they simply haven’t been able to consistently move the ball and put touchdowns on the board. That’s been good enough to get to 6-0, but against an offense like Detroit’s that can put up points in a hurry, Minnesota is going to have to find another gear offensively.

Lions RTB: The secondary, Detroit has allowed the most passing yards per game (282.3) and the second most touchdowns per game (2.67)

Vikings RTB: Lions 20, Vikings 17.

There have been games this season where Minnesota simply hasn’t been able to move the ball effectively, and while I expect this to be a relatively low-scoring game, Detroit has the offensive firepower to test this Vikings defense and find some success. It’s hard to envision the Lions putting up a ton of points, but 20 could be enough for Detroit to hand Minnesota its first loss of the season, even if the Vikings still look like a legitimate playoff team moving forward.

Lions RTB: Detroit dominates the Vikings.

Lions 24, Vikings 13.