Detroit hosts NFC North rival Minnesota today at Ford Field as they try to improve their record to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the division.

Here are five things to watch out for in today's contest:

1. Navigating the Minnesota blitz

Minnesota is No. 1 in the NFL in both number of blitzes (92) and blitz percentage (42 percent) and No. 2 in hurry percentage (12.8).

"What (Vikings defensive coordinator Brian) Flores has done, it's always disruptive defense," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said this week. "They force you into errors, they capitalize like they did Cincinnati this year. Forced five takeaways, two of them touchdowns. I mean, that's what they can do to you, they'll get on you."

Quarterback Jared Goff has been great against the blitz. He has the league's No. 1 passer rating (128.8) when blitzed with a 75 completion percentage and no interceptions. Can Goff and the Lions' offense take advantage of the blitz, get the ball out and generate big plays in their one-on-one matchups?

2. Brian Branch’s return to lineup

Branch is back in the lineup after serving a one game suspension in Detroit's win over Tampa Bay before the bye. Branch said he's returning with a chip on his shoulder. Defensive assistant/safeties coach Jim O'Neil said this week it could be scary what an extra motivated Branch might look like come Sunday.

Branch is arguably Detroit's most versatile defender as he's totaled 33 tackles (23 solo), four tackles for loss, five passes defended, a sack and a forced fumble this season. Branch has six passes defended and two interceptions in four career games vs. Minnesota.

3. Third-down offense

A big point of emphasis for Detroit coming out of the bye week is improving their third-down offense. The Lions are converting on third down just 37.6 percent of the time, which ranks 22nd in the NFL. Detroit finished last year third in the NFL on third down at 47.6 percent.

"Oh, just execution. It's simple execution," Goff said of their first-half issues on third down. "Staying in third-and-manageable is certainly the goal. And when you get in third-and-long it becomes harder.

"But yeah, you've got to convert on some of those. And I think last week was a pretty good example of not being good enough in that area. And I think if we had converted a few more of those, the game's maybe a little bit different. So yeah, just focusing on ways to improve there and we will."

Minnesota's defense ranks ninth on third down, limiting opponents to a 36.1 conversion rate.

4. More opportunities for Williams

Offensive coordinator John Morton said he must do a better job of finding ways to get wide receiver Jameson Williams the football more. Williams has 17 receptions for 289 yards and two touchdowns this season and has caught more than two passes in a game only twice.

"There has been opportunities where it just didn't happen," Morton said. "It's not like we aren't going to try to target him. So, that was the biggest thing. So, I looked at everything, and I failed him. That's what I told him. I have to do a better job with that."

Expect the Lions to try to find ways to get Williams the ball moving forward and to take a shot here and there when they see single coverage on Williams, which isn't often.

5. First time facing McCarthy

The Vikings spent a first-round pick on former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy last offseason but a knee injury suffered in the preseason prevented him from playing his rookie year. Fast forward a year and the Lions get their first look at McCarthy, who the Vikings are hoping is their quarterback for the next decade or so.

"You turn on that Week 1 game and they were getting stymied in the first half. And they came out in the second half and then the way he put that team on his back, he put that offense on his back and you saw how the guys galvanized around him," Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said of McCarthy this week.

"He's a physical quarterback - I don't think he gets enough credit for that. I believe he's a tremendous running threat. That's something that we have to be prepared for. And then he has the moxie, I see it."

McCarthy hasn't played since a Week 2 loss vs. Atlanta because of a high-ankle sprain suffered in that contest. Will there be any rust the defense can try and take advantage of today?