The Detroit Lions should get the Minnesota Vikings offense back on track
The Minnesota Vikings’ offense looked great in Week 1, but they quickly came back down to Earth in Week 2. With the Detroit Lions coming to town on Sunday, Minnesota’s offense should be able to get back on track.
Let me start by saying this is not the same Detroit team in years past. This is a talented group, and they have a chance at being good this season. Their offense is clicking, and they’ve put up 35 and 36 points in their first two games.
However, they’re giving up a lot defensively, and that’s what’s holding back this team. Yes, they played a good Eagles team and gave up 38, but they also allowed Carson Wentz and the Washington Commanders to score 27.
Minnesota has continued to express their desire to get Dalvin Cook going, and what better way to do that than against this Lions team?
Cook ran the ball six times for 17 yards against the Eagles, which is the fewest number of carries in his career. In fairness, the Vikings were playing from behind from the get-go, but getting him involved would have helped the passing attack.
This season, Detroit ranks 26th in the NFL in stopping the run, giving up 152.0 yards per game.
Justin Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL and finding ways to get him the football is smart. However, only targeting him will have a negative effect. Other teams will have an easier job on defense if they only have to worry about one player.
Minnesota needs to get Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn more involved on offense. Through two games, Theilen has caught seven passes for 88 yards, and most of his catches in Week 2 were in garbage time.
Osborn was supposed to burst onto the scene this season after a good sophomore year. This season he’s caught five passes for 39 yards, which is underwhelming.
The Lions are giving up 273.5 yards per game through the air, which ranks 28th in the NFL. Kirk Cousins didn’t have success throwing the ball against the Eagles defense, but he should rebound against Detroit.
The Vikings had no issues scoring the ball in Week 1, but they failed to put-up double-digit points against the Eagles.
Detroit is giving up the second most points per game at 32.5. This will be a great opportunity for this Vikings team to figure out other ways to get more players involved and get their offense going.
The Lions are a good team, but their defense has been a little suspect through the first two games of the season. Minnesota has been up-and-down to start the year, but Week 3 should be favorable for this offense.