Detroit Lions: 10 keys for a week 4 win over the Minnesota Vikings

The Detroit Lions take on a divisional rival on the road in a crucial game for positioning in the NFC North. Here are ten keys in week 4.

There is nothing like facing a divisional opponent. It can set the tone for the rest of the season with a big victory against a hated rival. The Detroit Lions are playing well and are legitimate contenders.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings feel the same exact way. They are hungry for a playoff spot. This NFC North battle will be a barnburner.

1.Watch Case Keenum on rollouts

Case Keenum is the definition of a journeyman quarterback. There are moments where he has shined but for most of his career he has been a below average passer. Keenum does have one significant strength and that is the ability to roll out and make plays. Keenum was flawless in week three playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (check out the 1:00, 2:58, and 3:30 marks for roll out plays) and was throwing darts all over the field. Keenum struggles when he has pressure in his face and is contained in the pocket. I believe Teryl Austin will use nickel/safety blitzes to throw Keenum off and make plays under pressure

2. Send help Greg Robinson‘s way

Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen is an elite pass rusher, with four sacks in 2017 and 30.5 sacks the previous three years. Griffen is a true speed rusher off the end and thrives on third down. Greg Robinson’s struggles are well known over the last two weeks and Jim Bob Cooter must adjust. This will be a game where Cooter should chip Griffen with tight ends and keep the backs in to help protect. The Lions cannot afford to let Griffen beat Robinson all game. Matthew Stafford will need time to make plays and Robinson cannot be left on an island by himself.

3. Nevin Lawson will earn his starting job

The Vikings have the most prolific wide receiver combo in 2017 with Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. Diggs and Theilen are fun to watch and are not just possession receivers. Both wideouts can run every route and I enjoy how Minnesota places them in every spot. Lawson is going to cover both Diggs and Theilen. Darius Slay will not be able to follow Diggs every play or Thielen every play. Nevin Lawson has been a nice fixture as the second cornerback but must step his game up this week for a Lions victory.

4. Stay away from Xavier Rhodes

There is a reason Xavier Rhodes received $32 million guaranteed this past offseason. He has proven himself against elite receivers in 2017, as the Vikings are 8th against #1 receivers. Antonio Brown only had three catches and 28 yards against Rhodes in week 2 and Rhoades contained Mike Evans last week. I’m curious to see if Rhodes lines up against Golden Tate or Marvin Jones the majority of the time. If I was Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer, I would have him shadow Tate all day.

If that is the Vikings gameplan, then Jim Bob Cooter needs to counter and look to a different side of the field. Whether that is Marvin Jones or Kenny Golladay on the outside, those receivers need to receive a lot of targets away from Rhodes.

4. Stop Dalvin Cook on first down

The Vikings like to run on first down, with 43 rushes and an average of 3.5 yards per carry. Yes, Case Keenum had a great game in week three and looks good. However, everyone knows he is not a star. The Lions should get pressure on him in long down and distance situations. Preventing the Vikings from staying on schedule and putting Keenum in obvious pass downs will give the Lions a chance to blitz and force turnovers.

6. The middle of the defense will be vital

Even with the Vikings losing future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson, Minnesota still loves to run the ball. Through three weeks, the Vikings run the ball at a 45% clip (11th in the NFL) and loves using Dalvin Cook everywhere on the field. Even so, the Vikings attack defenses running between the tackles. The Vikings run 69% of their rushing plays towards the guards and centers and love quick dive/iso plays for easy yards. Jarrad Davis will most likely be back on Sunday, therefore the Lions will greatly benefit from his return. A’shawn Robinson and Haloti Ngata were subpar in week three versus the Falcons. Those two need to provide an interior rush and let the linebackers force short gains.

7. Use the flats

One thing I love about Jim Bob Cooter’s offense is that he uses the sidelines and the flats as a weapon to get playmakers in space. Consequently, this will play perfectly against the Vikings defense. The Vikings protect deep and give up yards underneath especially towards the sidelines. On short sidelines passes to the sides, opponents complete 76.7% of their passes for an average of 7.2 yards per play. Golden Tate and Theo Riddick can get yards after the catch and this will stretch out the Vikings defense. In the meantime, this can lead Detroit to have opportunities to run between the hash marks. It will be essential the Lions get into easy down and distance situations.

8. Force three and outs

The Vikings have been dynamite in converting on third downs. With a 50% conversion rate (2nd in the NFL), Minnesota is excellent at staying on schedule and getting easy down and distance situations. Despite the week three offensive explosion, Keenum usually will hit his check down and not take chances.

Teryl Austin needs to take chances on first down and force negative plays. This means playing eight in the box on first down. This means blitzing on second and long situations. I would also play tight coverage on third down and force Keenum to beat you. These wideouts can get separation. This means the Lions need to be aggressive in the secondary and get pressure.

9. Let Matthew Stafford loose

Since Jim Caldwell has taken over, Matthew Stafford is no longer just a pure gunslinger. He is an efficient machine that can read a defense and pick you apart. In a divisional game on the road, I would let the gunslinger come out guns a-blazin’. The Vikings have a solid run defense and linebackers that can rove and make plays. I would put Stafford in the shotgun and let him throw around the lot. This is the perfect game to attack Minnesota and look for chunk plays.

10. Don’t give up on Eric Ebron

Yes, Eric Ebron is an enigma that frustrates every single Detroit Lions fan. He had a great game against the New York Giants and a clunker in week three. The Vikings are 29th facing tight ends through the first weeks and they use their linebackers more to stop the run instead of tight ends. Eric Ebron is too talented to take out of the game plan.

Next: Lions offense not who we thought they were

I love his attitude towards the failures he faced in week three. It’s only week four and there is no need to hit the panic button on Ebron. Meanwhile, you have a chance to attack a huge Vikings weakness and exploit a hole in their defense.