It's a quick turnaround for the Detroit Lions as they are one of six teams featured in three nationally televised Christmas Day games today. Detroit's playoff chances are still alive despite Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh, but they must win out starting today against the Minnesota Vikings and hope Green Bay loses to Baltimore on Saturday.
Here are five things to watch out for in today's contest:
1. Handling the Vikings' blitz
In a Week 9 loss to the Vikings at Ford Field, Detroit allowed 5.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hits and 19 total pressures on quarterback Jared Goff as the offense collectively had a hard time blocking up defensive coordinator Brian Flores' heavy blitz scheme.
Minnesota leads the NFL in blitz percentage (42.9) and is fifth in hurry percentage (10.3) this season. It will be particularly important for running back Jahmyr Gibbs to be better picking up the blitz this time around as he allowed a sack and six total quarterback hurries in the first matchup.
2. Battle at the line of scrimmage
In a Week 15 loss in Los Angeles, the Rams were the more physical football team on both sides of the ball and held a 159-70 advantage in the run game. It was more of the same for Detroit in Sunday's loss to Pittsburgh as the Steelers out-gained the Lions 230 to 15 on the ground.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week he wants to see his team get back to playing their physical brand of football, winning the line of scrimmage and the rushing battle.
"It's very difficult to control anything if you can't control the run game," Campbell said. "The pass game's one thing, and nobody likes that either. But if we can't get the run game in our favor it becomes very, very difficult."
3. Brosmer at quarterback
Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy, who underwent an MRI and other testing on his injured right hand earlier in the week, suffered a hairline fracture and won't play today against Detroit. Undrafted free agent Max Brosmer will make the start. Brosmer has seen action in five games this year and lost his only start at Seattle Nov. 30 when he threw four interceptions and no touchdowns in a 26-0 Vikings loss.
"If you give him time to see it, he can throw it," Campbell said of Brosmer this week. "He's got receivers to throw to, I know that. The guy is accurate. I think it falls in line with anyone we play at this point. We have to disrupt him."
4. Play a cleaner game
When asked about the Week 9 loss to Minnesota, Campbell said it was collectively Detroit's worst game of the season in all three phases.
"We had some penalties that killed us. We had a lot of MAs (missed assignments), and we turned the ball over. Had a blocked field goal. So, there were a number of things we did in that game that were self-induced," he said.
Detroit has to play more disciplined football this time around in what's always a loud and tough environment at U.S. Bank Stadium. Detroit was just 5-for-17 on third down, lost a fumble, had a field goal blocked and was flagged 10 times totaling 76 yards in the in the first meeting.
5. Limiting explosive plays
Over the last five weeks, Detroit's defense has allowed on average 458.6 yards per game and 145.4 on the ground. Detroit's 2-3 over that stretch. One of the big issues over that span is a spike in the number of explosive plays allowed. Against Pittsburgh last week, the Lions allowed seven runs of 10-plus yards, including two 45-yard touchdown runs. Detroit has allowed 56 completions of 20-plus yards this season (ranks 31st) and opposing quarterbacks have a 110.8 passer rating when throwing the football at least 21 yards in the air.
Minnesota has some skill players capable of making big-time plays, led by star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, so defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard and his crew must be very good about fitting their gaps in the run, tackling well and not allowing receivers to get behind them in the passing game.
