Lions at Vikings
After having their three-game winning streak snapped last week, the Minnesota Vikings look to get back on track when they begin a string of three straight division games Sunday against the visiting Detroit Lions. Minnesota occupied first place in the NFC North before a 30-20 home loss to New Orleans in Week 8 dropped it one-half game behind Chicago in the tightly contested division.
Adam Thielen made league history in the Vikings' setback against the Saints, becoming the first player to record at least 100 receiving yards in eight straight games to start a season. Thielen, who leads the NFL in receptions (74 - most in his team's first eight contests in league history) and receiving yards (925), has made a touchdown catch in each of his last five games. Detroit was attempting for a three-game winning streak of its own last week but dropped a 28-14 decision at home to Seattle. Matthew Stafford will need to find a new favorite target as the Lions, who are just one game behind the Bears in the NFC North, traded leading receiver Golden Tate (44 catches, 517 yards - both team highs) to Philadelphia on Tuesday.
TV: 1 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Vikings -5. O/U: 49
ABOUT THE LIONS (3-4): Marvin Jones Jr. figures to become Stafford's new main receiver, especially after his impressive performance last week. The 28-year-old, who is in his third season with Detroit after spending his first four with Cincinnati, made seven catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Seahawks. T.J. Jones, who has just four receptions this season after registering a career-high 30 last year, also figures to see more action with Tate gone while defensive tackle Damon Harrison seeks another strong performance after recording seven tackles and a sack in his team debut last week.
ABOUT THE VIKINGS (4-3-1): Thielen's eight straight games with at least 100 receiving yards ties the NFL record set in 2012 by Calvin Johnson of the Lions. He can join Atlanta's Julio Jones (80, 1,029 in 2015) as the only players in league history with at least 75 catches and 1,000 yards in their teams' first nine contests this week. Safety Harrison Smith, who has made an interception in each of his last two games, is the only player in the NFL with at least 20 picks (20) and 10 sacks (12) since he entered the league in 2012.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only four interceptions in his first season with the team.
2. The Lions signed LB Kelvin Sheppard, who intercepted Cousins twice on Dec. 31 while with the New York Giants, to replace Tate on the roster.
3. Minnesota ranks fifth in the league in rushing defense at 91.8 yards allowed per game while Detroit is 31st at 144.6.