Detroit Lions 2016 Opponent Preview: Minnesota Vikings
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions will be looking forward to their week 10 bye but have a game against the Minnesota Vikings first. The Vikes returning on Thanksgiving Day.
One of the oddities of the Detroit Lions‘ 2016 schedule is that the Detroit Lions face both the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears before meeting the Vikings, but the Lions will finish their season-series with the Vikings before rematches with the Packers or Bears.
In fact, both games between the Lions and Vikings will take place in N
The Lions-Vikings series for 2016 starts at the new U.S. Bank Stadium in week nine with the Vikings making the return trip in week 12 for the Thanksgiving game in Detroit.
To check up on the Vikings, I got together with Adam Carlson of The Viking Age. My questions followed by his answers are below.
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1. How would you assess the Vikings’ offseason? Did they do what they needed to do through the draft and free agency?
The main priority for the Vikings was to bolster the offensive line and add a receiving threat. The team did just that with the signings of Alex Boone and Andre Smith and the drafting of Laquon Treadwell. While the team could have used a little more help at safety, they are hoping the signing of Michael Griffin can be enough to fill that void.
2. Which rookie are you most excited to see play in 2016 and why?
Obviously, it would be great to see Laquon Treadwell enter the league and automatically be a #1 receiver for Teddy Bridgewater. That will be where most eyes will shift as far as Vikings rookies. Guys like Mackensie Alexander and Kentrell Brothers will take a little time to evolve, but likely won’t have the kind of impact Treadwell does this year.
3. What is the biggest question that still needs to be answered heading into training camp?
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The offense is still the biggest question for the Vikings. Their inability to end drives with touchdowns was made more frustrating when the defense was continuously holding teams to low score outputs. If Bridgewater can get the passing offense going and Adrian Peterson can return to dominance, this could be an exciting season.
4. What are your expectations for the Vikings in 2016?
Minnesota Vikings fans should expect improvement. With minimal losses and some big gains, this young franchise is on the rise. However, the division should still be tough. Getting to the playoff could be difficult with so many solid teams in the NFC. But the team should make a return to the postseason and hopefully get Mike Zimmer a playoff win.
5. Right here, right now, are you marking down the games against the Lions as a win, loss or toss-up for the Vikings?
On paper, it’s hard to get excited about the Lions. They lost their leading tackler and #1 receiver, but Detroit is also one of the streakiest franchises in the league. When they get hot, there is no stopping them. Unless the Lions are hitting on all cylinders when they face Minnesota, I can’t predict a Detroit win against the Vikings.
Next: Checking in on the Houston Texans
For more on the Minnesota Vikings, check out The Viking Age.