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After a dominant 47-9 win over the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the Detroit Lions (4-1) continue their two-game road trip when they visit the undefeated Minnesota Vikings (5-0) in Detroit’s first divisional matchup of the year.
The Vikings are one of two remaining unbeaten teams (Kansas City) and are coming off their bye week. The winner of Sunday afternoon’s matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium will gain early control of the NFC North, the only division in the NFL where all four teams have a winning record.
Vikings report: Minnesota is searching for their first 6-0 start since 2009, where they eventually advanced to the NFC Championship game. Under third-year head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings currently lead the NFC North and are the only unbeaten team remaining in the NFC.
Offensively, the Vikings rely on the passing attack, led by quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Darnold enters Week 7 ranked fourth with 11 touchdowns, four of which have gone to Jefferson. Jefferson ranks sixth with 450 receiving yards on 26 receptions, though having played one less game than most of those ahead of him.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores leads the defensive unit in his second year at the position. The Vikings enter Week 7 leading the league with 11 interceptions. They are a very blitz-heavy defense, ranking third in the league with 20 sacks. Minnesota has blitzed for a league-high 106 times through five games (41.1 percent of their snaps), which was 31 more than the Denver, who ranked second with 75 through six games before their game vs. New Orleans Thursday.
On the injury front, Minnesota could be without starting running back Aaron Jones, who is considered week-to-week since suffering a hamstring injury against the Jets in London two weeks ago. Earlier this week, the team traded for Texans running back Cam Akers. Minnesota’s rushing offense ranks 20th with 115.4 yards per game.
Last meeting: In Week 18 of last season with the NFC North division already clinched, the Detroit Lions completed the series sweep over Minnesota with a 30-20 win at Ford Field. The Lions never trailed throughout and developed a quick 13-0 lead behind a Jared Goff touchdown pass to tight end Sam LaPorta and a short TD run by Jahmyr Gibbs.
Minnesota countered with two field goals to trail 13-6 at the break, but second-half touchdown scores — a 1-yard run by David Montgomery and 70-yard reception by Amon-Ra St. Brown — created enough of a cushion to fend off the Vikings as Detroit secured the No. 3 seed in the playoffs.
