The Detroit Lions, as has become custom, are hosting a game on Thanksgiving Day. This year, the Lions will play host to the Minnesota Vikings, a fierce division rivalry, in one of the most important games on the NFL Week 12 schedule, an assertion with which FiveThirtyEight agrees. With six weeks left to play in the season, the Lions and Vikings are tied atop the NFC North division at 6-4. The Green Bay Packers are just 4-6, and so it’s likely that either the Lions or Vikings will win the division, and the winner of Thursday’s game will have the inside track towards accomplishing that.
The Vikings, as you may remember, were the best team in football over the first month of the season. Minnesota began the year 5-0, but it’s been all downhill from there. The Vikings have now lost four of their last five games, including a 22-16 loss to the Lions at home.
The #Vikings look to get revenge against the Lions on Thanksgiving.
?: https://t.co/6SaUuXb0uo pic.twitter.com/FFnkpxbUr7
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 22, 2016
The Lions, meanwhile, started the season slow, only winning five of their last six games. Clearly, these two teams are moving in different directions, which would seem to favor the Lions on Thanksgiving. But with these two division rivals, recent history is meaningless. This is anybody’s game to win, and here are five bold predictions for Thursday’s game between the Vikings and Lions.
Matthew Stafford Sacked Four Times
The Vikings have struggled in recent weeks, but they still have one of the best defenses in the NFL. The Lions also have one of the weakest rushing attacks in the leagues, and that equates to Minnesota’s defensive line pinning its ears back and going after Stafford. Look for Danielle Hunter to have a big day as Stafford takes some serious hits against an aggressive Vikings defense.
Shaun Hill Steps In For Injured Sam Bradford
No one’s rooting for an injury, but Bradford has managed to stay healthy all year, which is unusual for him. Even if it’s just a minor injury, Bradford will leave Thursday’s game early, meaning a national television audience will get to watch Shaun Hill lead the Vikings. Hill, of course, spent four seasons with the Lions earlier in his career, so he’s well accustomed to playing in Detroit and will do enough to keep Minnesota in the game in place of Bradford.
Anquan Boldin Scores Two Touchdowns
Lions WR targets since Week 4: Golden Tate: 56 Anquan Boldin: 39 Marvin Jones 37
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) November 21, 2016
It’s hard to believe, but Boldin leads the lions in receiving touchdowns this season with five. The 14-year veteran has become a nice complementary receiver for Detroit, as well as a player opposing teams forget about at times. Minnesota’s secondary is banged up heading into this game, as TwinCities reports that four defensive backs missed practice on Tuesday . This opens the door for Detroit’s third and fourth receivers to end up in favorable one-on-one matchups against Minnesota’s defense. The Lions will take advantage of this, as Stafford finds Boldin in the end zone on two separate occasions.
Cordarrelle Patterson Returns Kick For Touchdown
Patterson is one of the most dangerous return men in the NFL. He’s already returned one kickoff for a touchdown this year, and Thanksgiving Day seems like a great time to return a second one. With the Vikings struggling so much in recent weeks, they need some kind of spark to help get them back on track, and a kick return from Patterson may just be the thing that turns things around. Look for Patterson to cancel out one of Boldin’s touchdowns by returning the ensuing kickoff for six points.
Cordarrelle Patterson is making his name be known in just his 4th season ? pic.twitter.com/7gxqcfIcqp
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 21, 2016
Vikings Win Defensive Battle 16-14
If you’re looking to see a lot of offense on Thanksgiving Day, you may have to wait until one of the later games. Touchdowns will be a little tough to come by in this game, as Minnesota’s strong defense will come to play, while the Vikings will struggle to do much offensively with a backup quarterback under center. Nevertheless, the Vikings are poised to win their second straight game after breaking their four-game losing streak last week against the Cardinals. In a defensive struggle, Minnesota beats Detroit 16-14.
[Featured Image by Stacy Revere/Getty Images]
