Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings

Every year over the past few years, Detroit Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek seemingly has found a player nearly out of nowhere to become a viable pass-rusher in Detroit’s aggressive defense. Not only has he led the Lions to nine fourth-quarter comebacks in their last 20 games, the Lions don’t have anything resembling a decent backup. The team listed him as questionable to return.

Inside linebacker Deone Bucannon (ankle) will play for the first time this season and wide receiver John Brown (quadriceps) also is expected back. “Control what we can control, and that’s getting that job done earlier”.

The Lions trailed 16-13 with 23 seconds to play on November 6 at U.S. Bank Stadium before hustling to set up Matt Prater’s overtime-forcing 58-yard field goal.

Still, the defense kept the Vikings in the game thanks to the assault on Stafford, whose losses totaled 55 yards.

Eighteen days later, an interception by Darius Slay at Ford Field set up the winning kick by Prater as time expired at Ford Field.

But Murray, who is regarded as a solid all-around back, said he hopes the Vikings don’t need to change much in Cook’s absence.

Minnesota Vikings players lock arms during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Minneapolis.

When the Lions lost left tackle Taylor Decker to an offseason shoulder injury, they knew they might have a problem with pass protection.

The second-round draft pick, No. 41 overall, had 13 carries for 66 yards and a touchdown before leaving.

While the offense struggled the Defense stepped up and recored six sacks including two from Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen’s fifth sack of the season.

“We were moving the ball and making some plays downfield”, Thielen said. You should go after him in all leagues, but I would not plan on putting him in your lineup until he proves deserving. As a matter of fact, blocking tight end Darren Fells led Detroit with four catches Sunday. Just from memory, Eric Kendricks had three (uncharacteristic) misses in the first half, plus Mackenzie Alexander tacked on one.

“He’s a man’s man”.

“I thought I saw something and got fooled”, Keenum said following the Vikings’ 14-7 loss at U.S. Bank Stadium.

The Vikings went on top before the half, 7-3, when rookie running back Dalvin Cook waltzed into the end zone from five yards out. That’s 11 more turnovers than the past two seasons combined. We just turned the ball over.

“Being on this defense, I’m very blessed”, Zettel said. He smashed Case Keenum from the blind side, forcing a fourth-and-long that the desperate Vikings could not convert.