Three things Vikings fans should watch from Sunday’s NFL games
The Minnesota Vikings are on bye this week but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything important happening in Week 13.
The Vikings enter this week in the middle of the NFC’s playoff race, holding the sixth seed after the Seattle Seahawks lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. But with Green Bay, the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans sitting just outside of the final playoff spot, Minnesota has plenty of competition as it enters the home stretch.
So what should Vikings fans keep an eye on? Here’s a look at some of the biggest storylines in Week 13.
1. Are the Lions officially in a slump?
One of the most disappointing aspects of Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears was a lost opportunity to gain ground on the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
One of the most disappointing aspects of Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bears was a lost opportunity to gain ground on the Detroit Lions in the NFC North.
The Lions enter this week with a 2.5-game lead over the Vikings in the division race but have shown signs of cracking in recent weeks. Although they were dismantled by Jordan Love and the Packers on Thanksgiving, they also trailed by double-digits late in their Week 11 comeback victory over the Bears.
Detroit’s biggest problems have been turnovers and defense. The Lions have turned the ball over seven times in their last two games and will be going up against a Saints defense that is tied for fourth in the NFL with 20 takeaways.
While the Saints rank 21st in points scored this season, they could get a jolt from a Detroit unit that has allowed 98 points over its last three games.
If the Lions can’t stop the Saints or keep giving their opponents the ball, their path to their first division title since 1993 could become murky – especially with two games against the Vikings in the final three weeks.
