Detroit Lions season starts to heat up: Forecasting the next 4 games

Sun. 10/20 vs. Minnesota (3-2)

The Vikings may have a winning record, but that doesn’t mean they’re happy about it. The thrill of alternating three blowout wins against lesser opponents hasn’t entirely made up for the disappointment of two stale showings in road losses to NFC North rivals.

I hope for Lizzo’s sake that Kirk Cousins wasn’t the “new man on the Minnesota Vikings” that she’s so excited about in the chorus of ‘Truth Hurts’. As more time passes and Cousins can’t seem to become the difference maker that his blockbuster free agency signing suggested, it looks less and less likely that Cousins was the final puzzle piece for a Vikings Super Bowl run.

Outlook: Last year’s Vikings games (24-9 loss, 27-9 loss) were basically a crash course in unenjoyable Lions football. Stafford was sacked a combined 12 times, the offense didn’t produce a single touchdown (or even really threaten to), and there were very few positives to be taken from either game.

Minnesota’s defense is just as good in 2019, maybe even better, but Stafford has enough weapons this time, and the offensive line that’s playing much better so far should give him enough room to operate.  This is a true toss-up, but for any of the ‘playoff contender’ noise to be valid, the Lions need to take care of business at home (like Green Bay and Chicago already) and come through in this one.