After missing going to the Superbowl by inches last season, the Vikings are on a two-game losing streak. They look nothing like last season’s dominant squad, and there’s a hint of desperation in the air. Normally, facing the Detroit Lions would be a gimme for the Vikings. It might still be today, but as Jim Souhan points out, things may be changing in Detroit:
The worst Midwestern franchise this side of the Timberwolves will play in the Metrodome on Sunday, and the Vikings may leave a trail of rose petals between the Lions’ hotel and the stadium, just to make sure they show up on time.
In a sink-or-swim league, the Lions have long been the Vikings’ water wings. Sunday, the Vikes have the privilege of facing a should-lose team in a must-win game.
Where would the Vikings be without the Lions? Bud Grant (26-8-1 against Detroit) might not be in the Hall of Fame. Mike Tice (8-0 against the Lions) wouldn’t have kept his job so long. Brad Childress (7-1 against Detroit) would have a lower approval rating than house mold.
The Lions are to the Vikings what the curtain was to the Wizard of Oz.
Here’s the problem for The Purple: This might be the last day for a long time they can treat the Lions like kitty litter.
It’s frequently said that football teams are built from the lines. No matter how good your quarterback is, if the offensive line can’t keep him upright long enough to throw the ball or hand off to the running back, you’re not going to win games. On the defensive side of the ball, the more pressure your linemen can get on the opposing quarterback, the fewer options they have and the less likely they are to score. Detroit has done a good job of building their defensive line for this season, adding Kyle Vanden Bosh, Corey Williams, and rookie Ndamukong Suh.
Minnesota has been having trouble keeping Brett Favre standing upright and wearing a clean jersey this season. The Lions are starting to become the kind of team opposing quarterbacks hate to face (they sacked Michael Vick five times in last week’s game against the Eagles).
And all of this doesn’t mention that Detroit appears to have a franchise quarterback (although injured for this game), a very impressive rookie running back, and a legitimate number one wide receiver. The kind of line-up the Lions have not been able to boast of since their glory days — and nobody seems to remember when those glory days might have been.
As Souhan says, maybe it won’t be this year for Detroit, but they have started to improve and may not be the cupcake of the NFC for much longer.
