The Minnesota Vikings are heating up winning two games in a row and now go on the road to Ford Field for a crucial battle with the Detroit Lions. The Lions are coming off a loss against the Green Bay Packers and this is a game that could be crucial down the stretch as both of these teams are competing for the division or a wild card spot.
This should be an intense game, but the Vikings are the better team so let's breakdown four reasons the visiting team will come out on top.
4. Field Goals
Since Mike Zimmer took over as the Vikings head coach he has always preached bend not break. The Vikings defense sometimes gives up yards, but when opposing teams get into the red zone they make life really tough on their opponents and that is a big reason they can win this game. Over the last three games, the Vikings have only given up a touchdown on 28.57 percent of their opponents' drives that get into the red zone.
The Lions have settled for a lot of field goals and it was a big reason they lost on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. On the season the Lions are scoring touchdowns on only 50 percent of their red-zone trips and over the last three games, that number has dropped to 46.15 percent.
It's going to be very hard for the Lions to win games not scoring touchdowns in the red zone and that will hurt them in this game.
3. Vikings secondary
Just a few years ago Xavier Rhodes was one of the top cornerbacks in the league, but there could be an argument made that he now has become the Vikings worst cornerback, and that is a very good problem to have.
Trae Waynes, Mike Hughes, and Mackenzie Alexander all are having really good years, and they will be a big key in slowing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones.
With the secondary locking down it will give more time for the front line to get to Matthew Stafford.
2. Mike Zimmer
The coaching matchup advantage has to go to the Vikings, and I think Mike Zimmer and his defense is going to be a big key.
Zimmer was the creator of the double A-gap blitz and every year it seems it gets harder to harder for other teams to defend it.
Stafford has struggled against pressure during his career and with Zimmer calling the defense, he is going to bring a lot of it.
1. Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins hasn't always been considered a strength, but with the way he has played the last couple of games, he is going to be the x-factor.
Against the Eagles, he threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns, and will now face off against the Lions who currently have the 28th best passing defense in the league.
Cousins is going to target Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs a lot and this is going to another big game for Cousins, and that should keep the critics quiet for another week.
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