Detroit Lions predictions 2017: Week 4 at Minnesota Vikings
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Jock City writers make their predictions for the Detroit Lions’ week four road game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Each week, the Detroit Jock City staff will make their picks for that week’s Detroit Lions game with a quick take on the matchup and a final score. Bruce Walker and Jack Ozark were bold enough to put their perfect records on the line with a Lions pick over the Falcons and were an instant replay review away from being richly rewarded.
Instead, Mike Rizzo became the only DJC picker to move to 3-0 while everyone else sits at 2-1 or 1-2. Here is what the Detroit Jock City writers see for the game ahead.
Bruce Walker (2-1) – Last week is in the rearview mirror. It’s time for the Minnesota Vikings to be on the Lions menu. Without Sam Bradford, the Lions are left to face Case Keenum, who completed 19 passes in a row against them last year. The Vikings have the third best rushing defense in the NFL, allowing 62.7 yards per game and a 3.0 average per carry. Their pass defense is less stout, ranking 27th in the NFL at 277.7 yards per game.
The game is in Minnesota. It will feature running back Dalvin Cook, who leads the NFL in yards after contact. But the Lions get their rookie middle linebacker, Jarrad Davis back. His speed will help.
Although it is always hard to win on the road, the Lions have experience in winning in Minnesota’s new stadium. They are underdogs again, although some venues list the game as a coin-flip with no points attached. That means that Las Vegas thinks that the Lions will lose. Tell that to Golden Tate. I think that Matthew Stafford and Co. will be motivated to make sure they don’t end up 18 inches short at the end of this one. Lions 24, Vikings 17
Mike Rizzo (3-0) – The Detroit Lions look to rebound after a crushing loss last Sunday. They travel to Minnesota to face a Vikings team that once again will start Case Keenum. I have no fear about the Vikings offense except for Dalvin Cook. The Vikings defense on the other hand will be a challenge for the Lions who still lack a running game. I think the Lions win a close low scoring game. Lions 16, Vikings 13
Ash Thompson (1-2) – The Vikings may be missing their quarterback, but the step down from Bradford to Keemun is minimal. The Lions defense’s performance comes down to the availability of Jarrad Davis. Without Davis they do not have much hope to limit Dalvin Cook. The Vikings entire offense runs off of him. With Davis in they would stand a much better chance. Not practicing fully on Friday was a bad sign there.
The Vikings defense has surrendered more yardage than most defenses in the NFL, despite their reputation. They have given up an average of 20.7 points per game in 2017. That is a far cry from the dominant performance they expected. Their defensive line is incredibly dangerous, however, I like the Lions chances a lot more in the second meeting between these two teams. Vikings 23, Lions 20
Matt Bosko (1-2) – The Vikings may have faith in Case Keenum. I don’t have faith in Case Keenum. Although he did play a sensational game last week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this Lions defense is an entirely different animal. I expect a better showing from Lions’ run defense with the likely return of Jarrad Davis. If they are able to bottle up Dalvin Cook, I do not see Keenum lighting up a Lions’s secondary that was able to intercept Matt Ryan thrice. Lions 23, Vikings 13
Matt Snyder (1-2) – The Lions were a few inches of starting their season 3-0. A win against the Falcons would have made a big statement, but a win this week against the Vikings is arguably more important when it comes to the possibility of making the playoffs or winning the division. A road win would be huge, but they’ll have to overcome the Vikings and the unfriendly crowd. Lions lose a close one. Vikings 20, Lions 19
Jack Ozark (2-1) – I don’t know if the Vikings are a good team yet. I do know that the Lions are a good team though. I think the Lions treat Sunday like a revenge tour against Case Keenum due to his torching of them during their last meeting. The defense wasn’t nearly this good then, and Keenum had the game of his life. This week he doesn’t. As for the Lions offense, I bet the running game is non-existentant, but Matthew Stafford does everything he needs to and more to get the Lions a win. Lions 20, Vikings 13
Zac Snyder (2-1) – It seems on the surface that the Lions are set up well for a week four win over the Vikings. They’re coming off a game in which they should have defeated the defending NFC champs, they’ve looked good in all three games, they swept the Vikings a year ago and it will be the backup quarterback taking the field for the Vikings this week. However, much of that ignores that the Lions needed dramatic comebacks in both wins over the Vikings last season and Case Keenum picked apart the Lions starting for the Rams a year ago. I don’t believe the Vikings are necessarily a superior team, but neither are the Lions. Edge goes to the home team. Vikings 20, Lions 17
Zack Caldwell (2-1) – This will be the game that sets the tone for the season. It’s a road divisional game against a playoff contender. If you want be a serious player for a NFC North crown, you must win this game. I am not buying the Case Keenum hype. Darius Slay and Glover Quin will cause Minnesota to dink and dunk all game, with little success. I also think Eric Ebron has a big game and the Lions pull a tough victory to go 3-1. Lions 27, Vikings 17
Colton Wesley (2-1) – No pick
Next: Who are the 2017 Detroit Lions?
What’s your prediction for this week’s Lions game? Leave us a comment below or find us on Facebook or Twitter.