Oren I like yer reaction...
I was big into Minny initially but the "Trap" seems to be the theme for this week.
I'll be interested to see the writeup on this one.
I liked minny and -4 because of the obvious - whats not so obvious to me is how the lions will pull this off.
cant wait to see how.
I was big into Minny initially but the "Trap" seems to be the theme for this week.
I'll be interested to see the writeup on this one.
I liked minny and -4 because of the obvious - whats not so obvious to me is how the lions will pull this off.
cant wait to see how.
Traditionally the Lions play the Vikings hard. Being that I am from Detroit I know this. Detroit has covered 3 out of the last 4 at home against Minny. These divisional games can be tricky people, you can't look at them the same. Hell, look at the Bears this past Sunday Night. They were in that game the whole time and took a late scoring drive for the Vikes to BARELY cover. I am not touching this game, but don't bash Lou, he may be onto something here.
I wasnt - and dont ever bash anyone.
I was just saying I'd be interested to hear his explanation because I value his opinion.
Clearly there is no "obvious" - and in that sense I may have gone overboard.
I was refering to the following facts - which of course don't mean that anything is set in stone - I just meant that there are a few things that stick right out when I look at this game - and you might have noticed them too:
#1
The Lions played the Vikes hard twice last year and the vikes won't forget it. I could be wrong but I thought the last meeting between the two got kind of nasty at the end and some vikings got hurt - which was bogus because it was the last game of the season and didnt mean anything for either team. Having said that, motivation in this game shouldnt be a problem on either side.
#2
Week 1 the Vikes were able to win @ Lambeau finally. In week 2 the Lions rolled over @ Lambeau and got Lambasted. Maybe they got the brunt of the frustration from GB but its a comparison nonetheless.
#3
Both teams have played a "crappy team" (I know I'll get in trouble for this) and both won. Minny beat Chicago 24-13 in wk 2, and Detroit beat Arizona 42-24 in week 2.
The last poster noted that the Vikes BARELY covered as a result of some last minute stuff.
I would like to point out a similarity in the
lions defeat of the Cardinals:
Detroit was a 4 point favorite.
14 pts in the 4th quarter - before which score was 28-24 (Detroit up by 3) then:
A 36 yard short field TD drive as a result of a fumble recovery, and interception return for 50 yards.
ALSO - prior to this Detroit went 4 and out - and they recovered a muffed punt - resulting in another short field - of 35 yards. Before this happened the score was tied I believe at 21.
In contrast in Minny's win over Chicago - the Vikes lead the game throughout, and thought the "cover" was important - I doubt the team was thinking about much more than holding their lead.
Their 2 final scoring drives however - consisted of 93 and 92 yard drives. They were a result of good ball control and good field management.
Also the Vikes were up 17-10 at the half.
Now I'm NOT making the point that special teams and "getting the right bounces" do not matter. Clearly the detroit win over aizona was a result of hard work and a good game plan and I am not taking anything away from them in pointing out how they scored.
IF they can do that against minnesota then they should be able to put up a good fight and very possibly could pull off a cover or a win.
However, Minnesota has not shown that they are succeptible to this type of play - either that or they just havent seen it.
So when I say "the obvious" this is what I am referring to. and I probably should have said "obvious" but I was too lazy to type it all out.
But I'm not saying I cant be convinced otherwise - i'm all ears.
I was just saying I'd be interested to hear his explanation because I value his opinion.
Clearly there is no "obvious" - and in that sense I may have gone overboard.
I was refering to the following facts - which of course don't mean that anything is set in stone - I just meant that there are a few things that stick right out when I look at this game - and you might have noticed them too:
#1
The Lions played the Vikes hard twice last year and the vikes won't forget it. I could be wrong but I thought the last meeting between the two got kind of nasty at the end and some vikings got hurt - which was bogus because it was the last game of the season and didnt mean anything for either team. Having said that, motivation in this game shouldnt be a problem on either side.
#2
Week 1 the Vikes were able to win @ Lambeau finally. In week 2 the Lions rolled over @ Lambeau and got Lambasted. Maybe they got the brunt of the frustration from GB but its a comparison nonetheless.
#3
Both teams have played a "crappy team" (I know I'll get in trouble for this) and both won. Minny beat Chicago 24-13 in wk 2, and Detroit beat Arizona 42-24 in week 2.
The last poster noted that the Vikes BARELY covered as a result of some last minute stuff.
I would like to point out a similarity in the
lions defeat of the Cardinals:
Detroit was a 4 point favorite.
14 pts in the 4th quarter - before which score was 28-24 (Detroit up by 3) then:
A 36 yard short field TD drive as a result of a fumble recovery, and interception return for 50 yards.
ALSO - prior to this Detroit went 4 and out - and they recovered a muffed punt - resulting in another short field - of 35 yards. Before this happened the score was tied I believe at 21.
In contrast in Minny's win over Chicago - the Vikes lead the game throughout, and thought the "cover" was important - I doubt the team was thinking about much more than holding their lead.
Their 2 final scoring drives however - consisted of 93 and 92 yard drives. They were a result of good ball control and good field management.
Also the Vikes were up 17-10 at the half.
Now I'm NOT making the point that special teams and "getting the right bounces" do not matter. Clearly the detroit win over aizona was a result of hard work and a good game plan and I am not taking anything away from them in pointing out how they scored.
IF they can do that against minnesota then they should be able to put up a good fight and very possibly could pull off a cover or a win.
However, Minnesota has not shown that they are succeptible to this type of play - either that or they just havent seen it.
So when I say "the obvious" this is what I am referring to. and I probably should have said "obvious" but I was too lazy to type it all out.
But I'm not saying I cant be convinced otherwise - i'm all ears.
Big Lou
Great writeup on Green Bay last week.
Just my observations on the Min/Det matchup: I'm well aware of Detroit's potential as a home dog this week and this could be a dogfight. (in fact, almost the entire schedule this week plays the same, favorites on the road). Detroit has an amazing way of playing tough at home, even when they haven't had a winning record and especially when it is a "big" game. Notice last year's covering the Tampa Bay game.
But I'm still leaning towards the Vikings as a 3-0 division record and the return of Chris Claiborne will be added motivation for this game. Detroit is still adjusting to Mooch's ways and the defense seems to be pretty soft. Detroit covered last years finale with a furious 4th quarter.
But that was at the end of the season when Detroit had more chemistry and the Vikings defense was downright pathetic. This year the Vikings have a mammoth offensive line that should be able to chew time and yards against the Detroit defense. In addition, Culpepper is being smarter with the football. Expect Moe to do well but also Avery and Onterrio to get a few more touches and use their speed. This will also set up a few long plays for Moss & Mini-Moss (Cambell). As for the Minnesota defense, it will still let up the yards to Detroit if they can get the passing game together, have to check on health of Min's Safeties. But O'Leary was a great pickup and has the defense attacking and believing, notice the interceptions this year. Detroit should hope that Hakim plays.
I have -3.5 and have not made a decision yet. I am also leaning towards the Over if I find that Detroit will score it's share of points. I'm not worried about Minnesota taking care of theirs.
The last four meetings have played over.
Over is 14-8 for the Vikings last 22 overall.
MIN is 10-6 ATS last 16 versus div. opponent.
DET is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Over is 7-3 in Lions last 10 games overall.
DET is 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games overall.
Disclaimer: Diehard Viking fan here.
Good luck this weekend.
Great writeup on Green Bay last week.
Just my observations on the Min/Det matchup: I'm well aware of Detroit's potential as a home dog this week and this could be a dogfight. (in fact, almost the entire schedule this week plays the same, favorites on the road). Detroit has an amazing way of playing tough at home, even when they haven't had a winning record and especially when it is a "big" game. Notice last year's covering the Tampa Bay game.
But I'm still leaning towards the Vikings as a 3-0 division record and the return of Chris Claiborne will be added motivation for this game. Detroit is still adjusting to Mooch's ways and the defense seems to be pretty soft. Detroit covered last years finale with a furious 4th quarter.
But that was at the end of the season when Detroit had more chemistry and the Vikings defense was downright pathetic. This year the Vikings have a mammoth offensive line that should be able to chew time and yards against the Detroit defense. In addition, Culpepper is being smarter with the football. Expect Moe to do well but also Avery and Onterrio to get a few more touches and use their speed. This will also set up a few long plays for Moss & Mini-Moss (Cambell). As for the Minnesota defense, it will still let up the yards to Detroit if they can get the passing game together, have to check on health of Min's Safeties. But O'Leary was a great pickup and has the defense attacking and believing, notice the interceptions this year. Detroit should hope that Hakim plays.
I have -3.5 and have not made a decision yet. I am also leaning towards the Over if I find that Detroit will score it's share of points. I'm not worried about Minnesota taking care of theirs.
The last four meetings have played over.
Over is 14-8 for the Vikings last 22 overall.
MIN is 10-6 ATS last 16 versus div. opponent.
DET is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
Over is 7-3 in Lions last 10 games overall.
DET is 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games overall.
Disclaimer: Diehard Viking fan here.
Good luck this weekend.
I like the over in this one as well, both these teams have unproven backfields and quarterbacks that like to fling the ball around. I'd also lean towards the Vikes, I could't take Detroit after Brett Varve made their defense look like swiss cheese last week, and he didn't have Randy Moss to throw to. Add that Detroit is missing their starting runningback, and what you get is
Lions +4 (1 unit) vs. Vikings - Minnesota comes into this game having won their last three road games dating back to last season but had lost 17 straight away games prior to that. In their three consecutive road wins they have allowed 31, 36 & 25 points respectively. If they win at Detroit on Sunday they would equal their road win total of last season, when they finished 2-6 away from the Metrodome.
Being a division road favorite has not been a strong spot for the Vikings either, going 2-9 ATS as divisional road favorites over the past five seasons and that includes 1998, the year they finished 15-1. Adding up these figures I don't believe Minnesota is quite ready to be laying more then a FG on the road just yet.
Over the past two seasons Detroit has been a solid home dog the week after a SU loss, going 10-3 ATS in that role. I also like the fact you have a veteran coach like Steve Mariucci, who has a 58-40 record, coming off a big loss and is a home dog vs. Mike Tice, a coach still learning the ropes as his 8-11 record suggests. Detroit plus the points is the play here.
Big Lou
Being a division road favorite has not been a strong spot for the Vikings either, going 2-9 ATS as divisional road favorites over the past five seasons and that includes 1998, the year they finished 15-1. Adding up these figures I don't believe Minnesota is quite ready to be laying more then a FG on the road just yet.
Over the past two seasons Detroit has been a solid home dog the week after a SU loss, going 10-3 ATS in that role. I also like the fact you have a veteran coach like Steve Mariucci, who has a 58-40 record, coming off a big loss and is a home dog vs. Mike Tice, a coach still learning the ropes as his 8-11 record suggests. Detroit plus the points is the play here.
Big Lou
Thats funny that detroit has come home the week after a SU loss 13 times in the last 2 seasons - especially considering that they only play what 8 home games a year? So out of 16 home games they have been a home dog coming off a loss 10 times? and that means that in 2 years they've lost 13 of 16 road games?
Anyway - The coach could very well be a difference - thats a great point.
I'm on minny still cause its the square play I guess but good luck to you.
Anyway - The coach could very well be a difference - thats a great point.
I'm on minny still cause its the square play I guess but good luck to you.
