Early look at the Detroit Lions 2017 opponents: Minnesota Vikings

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Sep 25, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen (97) in the fourth quarter. The Vikings defeated the Panthers 22-10 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Edge Rushers

The Minnesota pass rush is both fast and furious. They have a deep crew of edge defenders, loaded with veteran and emerging talents. As much as it pains me to admit it as a Lions fan, the Vikings probably have the best group of edge defenders in the NFL.

Everson Griffen provides three-down ability, setting the edge vs the run, and flying off the edge vs the pass. Brian Robison is entering his eleventh year, but he can still make an unwary Offensive Tackle look foolish. Danielle Hunter answered the question last season as to whether he was going to be able to replace Robison long term. He led the talented trio in both sacks and tackles in 2016. These three berzerkers combined for 28 sacks, 132 tackles, six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. These three men are the reason that the Detroit Lions

The three-man rotation at defensive end is the reason that the Detroit Lions signed not one reclamation project at tackle, but two; in Cyrus Koandjio and Greg Robinson. The solid play of Taylor Decker was a large part of the Lions victories against Minnesota last season.

Jan 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph (98) forces a fumble on Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Barkley (12) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Interior Linemen

The Vikings defensive tackle group is equal to their edge rushers. Linval Joseph adds enough pass rush to take advantage of the Vikings furious rush off the edge. Shariff Floyd was a missing piece from last year’s group, but will likely add even more push to the pocket collapsing line.

Reports earlier in the offseason that Joseph’s career might be over due to complications from his 2016 knee surgery appear to be incorrect. Joseph is still not running but Mike Zimmer has stated that he believes Joseph will play in 2017. rotational defenders Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen are capable run defenders, and the Vikings added multiple draft picks to their interior line.

Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked by Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) in the first half at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Wood /Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /

Linebackers

Eric Kendricks has turned into one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL, and man’s the middle of the Vikings front. He has become a solid run defender since entering the league in 2015. Anthony Barr took a step back as a third-year player, after impressing in his first two seasons.

Barr’s play was called out on December by Head Coach Mike Zimmer whose response when asked which areas Barr needed to improve going forward was, “All.” The Viking’s lost Chad Greenway to retirement this year, and Edmond Robinson looks like the front runner to replace him at this point. There is no replacement for Greenway on the roster, and the Vikings coverage of Tight

The Viking’s lost Chad Greenway to retirement this year, and Edmond Robinson looks like the front runner to replace him at this point. There is no replacement for Greenway on the roster, and the Vikings coverage of Tight Ends and Running backs will suffer greatly from that loss. The other Linebackers the Vikings could plug in are Kentrell Brothers, a second-year player who ran a 4.82 at the combine; and Elijah Lee, a seventh-round draft pick that was worthless against the run even at the college level. the Lions should be able to exploit the Vikings outside linebackers in pass coverage in 2017.

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