FanPost

The Lions actually have a chance to win in Minnesota

I think for the first time in a long time, the team that got bullied around in the Metrodome the most for the last 13 years, just might fight back enough to prove that they aren't getting bullied around anymore.

Brett Favre's career stats and wins against the Lions are so overwhelming that it would seem like it would take a miracle for the Lions to beat their old nemesis. Add the fact that they haven't won at the current home of that nemesis since 1997 and well, it's seems just about impossible. Things are different than last season when the Vikings were on a roll and swept the Lions, both teams it looks like have injuries at key positions, both sport the same 0-2 record, and both are desperate for a win. Question is..who is more desperate though?

The Vikings seem to have more problems than just no.4 throwing more picks than touchdowns though, their wide receiver corps is just about depleted, bad enough where they had to sign the guy who gave up the onside kick in this year's Superbowl and hasn't had a permanent home once in his career in Hank Perkins...er, I mean Baskett. Sorry, that's his wife's last name. Anyways, the point is, the Vikings haven't woke up yet from this emotional roller coaster ride that Favre has taken them on. Will he retire or won't he? Favre has an ankle injury, will he be healthy enough to play well? Can Favre get it done without his top two receivers? Well, without Favre's top two receivers, it seems like it's up to A.P to shoulder most of the load. If Favre can't get on the same page with the current receivers the Vikings have on their roster, A.P might be carrying it 30-40 times a game, which will wear him down quick. There really isn't one back or receiver on this roster that's worth mentioning, so A.P, Favre, and tight end Vishante Shiancoe have to get it done together somehow. The Minnesota Viking defense, however is pretty good. They have one of the best front four in the entire NFL and can hurt any offensive line. If the Vikings offense can get it together, the Vikings shouldn't have problem beating the Lions at home. If they can't, it's anyone's guess. This could either be the game that Favre proves he doesn't need elite talent to win or the game that proves that he does.

The Lions don't have their starting quarterback, but they have a pretty damn good running back named Jahvid Best to compliment the star receiver in Calvin Johnson. Jahvid Best is the most electrifying back to play for Detroit since Barry Sanders and Calvin is probably the best reciever to play here since the late great Herman Moore. Together these guys can hurt just about anybody's defense no matter how good they are. The Detroit Lions front four are also pretty damn good, they are currently leading the league in sacks for defensive lineman and have showed relentless pursuit for opposing quarterbacks. They sacked Mike Vick, the most agile quarterback in the last 10 years 6 times and probably could have at least another 5 had Vick not spun out of them. The biggest problem with Detroit, however, is their back seven and the offensive line. If they can't open up running lanes for Best, which will be hard to do against the Vikings, or keep Hill on his feet, this could get pretty ugly for the Lions offense. On the flip side, if Favre has a coming out party and the Lions secondary are the main invite, well that pass rush won't matter much if Favre is throwing 50 yard bombs before it reaches him. Or if they can't plug gaps and A.P runs all over them. This is the game that will decide just how good or bad the Lions secondary can be against equal talent and if the offensive line can handle arguably the best defensive line in the game.

I think the Lions have a chance to win, largely in part to Favre's lack of confidence in himself and his receivers and the Lions front four. If they can sack Favre, clog running lanes so A.P has nowhere to run, and force turnovers that might be enough to win it. The Lions do have a potent offense, as we saw how quickly they scored last week when needed. We know they can put up some points, which isn't really the argument here, but can they stop Favre and A.P from scoring long enough to hold on to a lead to win the game? That is the question.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pride Of Detroit or its writers.