The Detroit Lions have been sliding a little bit lately losing three in a row. Detroit who was 6-2 three weeks ago and looking as if they were playoff bound, have now lost their last three games. The Lions suffered losses to Arizona (31-21), the New York Giants (16-10), and division rival Green Bay (37-26). With these losses the Lions are now looking to be eliminated from the playoffs. Detroit would still be the second Wild Card team if the season were to end today, but division rival Minnesota and Chicago are sneaking up on them. The Lions are hoping to reverse these bad fortunes bestowed upon them as of late and get back to their winning ways. Detroit will enter the Metrodome this weekend hoping to do as they did in week three of the season and defeat the Minnesota Vikings, keeping their playoff hopes alive. The Lions have a tough road to hoe the final weeks of the season however, as they face Minnesota, Dallas, San Diego, Kansas City, and Green Bay respectively to finish off the 2007 season. The Lions need to win at least three of their final five games if they hope to make this years post season.
Detroit will enter Minneapolis this weekend behind the strength of Jay Kitna. Kitna has emerged as the leader of this team and is doing so with very strong performances. Kitna has completed 249 of 381 passes for 2,897 yards, with a pass completion ratio of 65.4. Jay also has thrown 14 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, has been sacked 44 times for a passer rating of 87.4.
Kitna's two favorite receivers are Roy Williams and Shaun McDonald. Williams has 58 receptions for 751 yards and five touchdowns. On the other side of the field Shaun McDonald has 53 receptions for 650 yards and 4 touchdowns. Rookie Calvin Johnson, who was thought to push for Rookie of the Year, is still very dangerous and should not be underestimated. Johnson has 31 receptions for 485 yards and four touchdowns. These three catalysts of the Lions offense, behind Jay Kitna, has this Lions passing offense ranked seventh in the league, and has been a great contributor to why Detroits offense is ranked 9th in points scored at 23.4 points per game.
The rushing game for Detroit has been less than helpful this season. Unfortunately for Detroit they are not the running weapon they could be. With Kevin Jones and Tatum Bell in the backfield, Detroit has found themselves ranked 31st overall in rushing yards per game with 82.1 yards. This definitely does not bold well for the Lions against the number one rushing defense. The Vikings have stymied all opponents running games this season, allowing only 74.8 yards per game. Unfortunately for the Vikings, it's been their pass defense that has fallen apart for this team. The Vikings pass defense is ranked dead last in the league, but has recently emerged from the dusk in games against the Raiders, Chargers, and Giants. Although they allowed Dauntee Culpepper to throw for 344 yards, they did not allow the Raiders in the end zone but once all game. In week nine against the Chargers, they only allowed Philip Rivers to pass for 197 yards, one touchdown, and had one interception. Last week against the Giants, Minnesota's pass defense was almost perfect. The Vikings allowed Eli Manning to pass for 273 yards, but had four interceptions of which three were run back for touchdowns. If Jay Kitna is not careful, this could be him on Sunday.
The Lions are now fighting for their playoff lives and are looking to prove that their early season success was no fluke. Detroit needs to keep their success in the air going against the last ranked Vikings, and hope their running game can give some reprieve to Kitna and the Lions receivers. Minnesota's pass defense has improved a lot the past few weeks, and they have relinquished only five passing touchdowns in four weeks. Three of those touchdowns were against the Packers in week 11. This game has playoff implications written all over it, and the loser might stay home. Keep in tune Vikings fans, because it loos like our Vikings are back in the hunt, and looking for some respect.
SKOL VIKINGS!!!!
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