The Detroit Lions may be 8.5-point favorites over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, but very rarely has a divisional win come easy for anyone in the NFC North. In fact, in the last nine matchups between the Lions and Vikings, six of them have been decided by one score or less. Additionally, at 3-4, the Vikings are a pretty desperate team needing a win.
The Lions can’t afford to take a week off here. The Vikings are healthier than they’ve been all season, and they’ve still got a pretty solid coaching staff that should have a good plan against a familiar Lions team. But which Lions player has the best chance to tear that plan apart?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions player is key to victory over the Vikings?
My answer: Graham Glasgow.
For the past two years, the Lions’ offense has seemingly had the answer key to all of the problems that a Brian Flores-coached defense poses. The credit for that is likely spread between several sources, be it Ben Johnson, Jared Goff, or the extremely talented group of weapons on the Lions’ offense. But one person who always seemed to get a ton of praise during Vikings week was All-Pro center Frank Ragnow. His tireless effort in studying a complicated defense like Flores’ paid off on game day with his ability to recognize pressure packages and adjust before the play.
Some of those responsibilities have fallen into Goff’s hands, but the majority of them remain at center. That means Glasgow will be more important on Sunday than ever. Working with Goff to make sure the Lions are in the right play and right protection is critical to the offense operating like it should. Glasgow has done a pretty good job stepping in for Ragnow all season, but this is his biggest test of the season. If he steps up, Lions fans should sleep easy knowing that even the most complicated of defenses don’t stand a chance at slowing this team.
Which Lions player do you think is key to this Vikings matchup? Share your answer in the comment section at the bottom of this page.
