This game has all of the makings of being a bloodbath as the Lions are not very good and they are banged up.  Jon Kitna will miss this game because of a bad back and that will really hurt the Lions’ offense in this game.  With Dan Orlovsky likely to start this game the Lions would like to run the ball more than usual with Kevin Smith and Rudi Johnson.  The only problem with that is that the Vikings only are allowing 68.4 yards rushing per game and 2.8 yards per carry.  Top WRs Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams are both banged up right now so Shaun McDonald and Mike Furrey could get a lot of action in this game. 

The Vikings should be able to do whatever they want in this football game as the Lions’ defense is pathetic.  The Lions allow 180.0 yards rushing per game (5.0 ypc) and 249.0 yards passing per contest (opposing QB Rating 122.1).  The Vikings would probably prefer to keep the ball on the ground with Adrian Peterson (452 yards rushing).  As soon as the ground game is established look for Gus Frerotte to use play action passes to get the ball deep to Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade.

PREDICTION:  MINNESOTA VIKINGS 31, DETROIT LIONS 0

The Lions should have just not showed up last week if they didn’t want to play.  The defense was horrid for the Lions last week as Kyle Orton torched them for 334 yads passing and 2 TDs and that tells you how far the Lions’ defense has fallen.  The Bears finished up with 425 yards of offense and they had possession of the ball for 38:15 of this game making it almost impossible for the Lions to put up a fight.  Jon Kitna got knocked out of the game due to a bad back after completing 8 of 16 passes for 74 yards.  Dan Orlovsky replaced Kitna and he completed 13 of 23 passes for 97 yards with a interception.  Kevin Smith scored the only TD for the Lions as he rushed for 31 yards (3.9 ypc) and caught 4 passes for 25 yards (6.3 avg).  Roy Williams also had a decent game with 7 receptions for 96 yards (13.7 avg) last week.  The Lions are now 0-4 on the season and it appears that they will be drafting high enough next April to take any player they want.

The Bears have to be excited about facing a Lions team that is allowing 37.7 points and 430.3 yards per game this season.  The Bears will keep the ball on the ground with rookie Matt Forte (347 yards rushing) and ex-Lion Kevin Jones against the Lions who are allowing a stunning 207.7 yards rushing per game and 5.6 yards per carry.  The Lions only have three sacks this season so look for Kyle Orton to take some shots down the field after the running game is established.  Opposing QBs have a rating of 122.5 this season against the Lions.

The Lions will come out firing the football all over the field in this game as the Bears are allowing 246.5 yards passing per game this season.  The plan will be to attack 2nd year CB Corey Graham who will likely be covering Roy Williams.  Look for a lot of 1-back sets for the Lions’ in this game as they want to get a lead throwing the ball and then grind out the game with Rudi Johnson on the ground.

PREDICTION:  CHICAGO BEARS 21, DETROIT LIONS 20