Best NFL Games of Week 12: Vikings, Lions meet in Turkey Bowl
By Joe Schiller
2. Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions
The Thanksgiving slate of NFL football really isn’t much to get excited about but the first game offers an intriguing matchup. Along with the Eagles and Saints, the Vikings headline the top of the NFC right now. They hold a two-game lead in the NFC North and the Lions are looking to shrink that even further as we enter the final stretch of the season.
At this point, the rumors of Teddy Bridgewater starting have to be nothing more than background noise. Case Keenum is the starting quarterback for the Vikings and has left no room for doubt since he took over in Week 2. He may not be the quarterback of the future but has led the Vikings to a 6-2 record under center and that’s something Mike Zimmer can’t discredit. Of course, it helps when your defense is also one of the best in all of football. They’re second against the run this season, only allowing 77 yards per game and it’s just about impossible to score points.
In comes Matthew Stafford and the Lions, who are looking to shake things up. It’s been an up and down ride this season but they still find themselves just outside of the Wild Card spot looking in. They’ve been a mid-ranked team on both sides of the ball and are as good as their record shows. The offense runs through Matthew Stafford and the Lions have to get the air game going if they even want a shot in this game.
In the end, it all comes down to the Lions’ ability to run the ball. If the offense is one-dimensional, it’s advantage Vikings and game over. The Vikings have been too good this season and should come away with from this game 9-2 by all accounts.