Previewing Detroit Lions Week 16 NFL matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
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00:00 This weekend the Detroit Lions prepare to take on NFC rival the Minnesota Vikings.
00:05 Here today to give his prediction and analysis for the game is SIL Lions' John Macrin.
00:10 John, give me your thoughts and analysis on how this one plays out for the Detroit Lions.
00:15 Cameron, real big opportunity for the Detroit Lions.
00:18 An opportunity with a win on the road in Week 16 to win their first division title in 30 years.
00:25 I know the players this week have kind of downplayed it, discussing the importance of just winning this week's game.
00:31 But everybody is aware that something hasn't been accomplished in this organization for a long time.
00:37 And I think the motivation for the team is to continue to play at their highest level in order to not only win the division,
00:45 but also continue their trend of good play heading into the postseason.
00:48 This is an interesting contest.
00:50 I think that many people are excited to see Ben Johnson, Detroit's talented offensive coordinator,
00:56 match wits against Brian Flores, the talented and the veteran defensive coordinator of the Vikings.
01:03 You recognize the Vikings have a solid defense.
01:05 They're going to pin their ears back and attempt to pressure Jared Goff.
01:09 And I think it's going to be incumbent upon Detroit's offensive line to continue to protect Jared Goff,
01:15 which will open up the offense.
01:17 You look at it, and I think it's more of the same regarding what the Lions are trying to accomplish.
01:21 You're trying to establish the run with Jameer Gibbs and David Montgomery,
01:25 which always opens things up for the vast, really one of the most talented offenses in the entire National Football League.
01:33 When you look at it, Cameron, if Jared Goff plays well and the offensive line holds up,
01:37 you have Amonra Saint-Brown, Jamison Williams, who has been incorporated more in this offense.
01:43 You recognize that the Vikings, what they do well is they're going to look to stop the run and pressure Jared Goff,
01:49 similar to what the Lions are trying to accomplish.
01:52 I always look at in these matchups in regards to two teams that are really desperate and trying their best to win this game,
02:00 you look at the quarterback spot.
02:01 I think that Jared Goff is a better player than Nick Mullins is for the Vikings.
02:06 I think their quarterback situation has been in flux ever since Kirk Cousins went down with a season-ending injury.
02:12 I understand it's going to be on the road at US Bank Stadium.
02:15 It's going to present a tough opportunity.
02:17 On the other side of the football, Cam, it's going to be tough for the Lions' defense.
02:22 You recognize that the Vikings' offense possess two of the game's solid young receivers in rookie Jordan Addison,
02:29 who's averaging over 13 yards a catch, and the all-worldly Justin Jefferson,
02:34 who last year had a game against the Lions in which he recorded over 200 yards receiving.
02:39 So if you let the two wide receivers and tight end TJ Hawkinson really shine, then it's going to be a long afternoon.
02:47 But I look for the Lions. This game potentially could be a shootout.
02:51 Many people maybe think it's going to be a low-scoring game.
02:54 I think that that probably is how it's going to go, but I could see the potential for a shootout.
02:59 But I think that for the Lions, it's going to be a covet upon that defense to make stops when they're one-on-one battles
03:05 and do not let Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison control this game.
03:09 I think that the key for the Lions is make sure you play and continue to play clean football on the road.
03:17 If you can weather that early storm, then you can get that victory and win the division title for the first time since 1993.
03:25 John, couldn't have said it any better myself. Thanks for all the insight.