Game Preview: Vikings at Lions

Viktor

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Mar 19, 2019
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VIKINGS-LIONS CONNNECTIONS


Vikings GM Rick Spielman began his NFL career with the Lions as a college scout (1990-94) before adding pro scouting duties (1995-96).


Vikings T Riley Reiff started 69 of 77 games played for the Lions from 2012-16 after he was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.


Minnesota RB Ameer Abdullah started 22 of 35 games for Detroit from 2015-18.


Lions Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell worked in the same role with the Vikings from 2006-10.


Detroit offensive line coach Jeff Davidson held the same position with Minnesota from 2011-15, and assistant offensive line coach Hank Fraley was with the Vikings from 2014-16.


Lions tight ends coach Chris White was the Vikings assistant special teams coach from 2009-12.


Detroit CB Justin Coleman signed with Minnesota in 2015 as an undrafted free agent but was released prior to the season.


LOCAL CONNECTIONS


There are three Michigan natives — QB Kirk Cousins, TE Tyler Conklin and LB Eric Wilson — and four players who attended college in Michigan — Cousins, Conklin, Ben Gedeon and Trae Waynes — on the Vikings roster.


Lions OL Frank Ragnow attended Chanhassen High School.


COACHING CONNECTIONS


Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Dallas (2000-06) when Lions Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was with the Cowboys from 2005-07.


Minnesota Defensive Coordinator George Edwards (2005-09) coached with Pasqualoni (2008-09) and Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego (2008-10) at Miami.


Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer worked with Bonamego in New Orleans (2006-07).


PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS


Minnesota G Josh Kline (2013-15) played for the Patriots when Detroit Head Coach Matt Patricia was on New England’s staff (2004-17).


COLLEGE CONNECTIONS


Vikings TE Tyler Conklin (2014-17) played under Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego (2015-18) at Central Michigan.


Minnesota DT Shamar Stephen (2009-13) was with Connecticut when Detroit Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was head coach.


Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes (2009-12) and Lions LB Christian Jones (2010-13) teamed together at Florida State. Minnesota G Pat Elflein (2012-16) and Lions T Taylor Decker (2012-15) were teammates at Ohio State.


VIKINGS TOP PERFORMERS VS. LIONS


Kirk Cousins: 3 games, (3 starts — 2 with MIN), 2-1 record, 69-of-89 passing (77.5 percent), 718 yards, 5 passing TDs, 1 INT, 114.3 passer rating; 6 rushes, 19 yards, 1 rush TD


Dalvin Cook: 3 games, (2 starts), 39 rushes, 228 yards, 5.9 yards per rush, 1 TD, 8 receptions, 63 yards


Stefon Diggs: 5 games (4 starts), 31 receptions, 362 yards, 2 TDs; 3 rushes, 30 yards


Kyle Rudolph: 14 games (13 starts), 56 receptions, 559 yards, 8 TDs


Adam Thielen: 10 games (6 starts), 35 receptions, 401 yards, 1 TD; 2 rushes, 8 yards


Everson Griffen: 16 games (10 starts), 43 tackles (league stats), 14 sacks, 15 TFL, 2 PBU, 1 FF; 5 consecutive games with at least 1.0 sack


Danielle Hunter: 6 games (4 starts), 21 tackles (league stats), 7.0 sacks, 8 TFL, 1 PBU, 3 FR, 32-yard FR TD


VIKINGS BIG DAYS VS. LIONS


Kirk Cousins: 21-of-28 passing (75.0 percent) for 253 yards with 3 TDs, 0 INT and passer rating of 137.9 at Detroit on Dec. 23, 2018


Stefon Diggs: 6 receptions for 108 yards and first career TD at Detroit on Oct. 25, 2015; career-high 13 receptions, 80 yards in Minnesota on Nov. 6, 2016


Kyle Rudolph: 9 receptions for 122 yards, 2 TDs at Detroit on Dec. 23, 2018


Dalvin Cook: 10 rushes for 89 yards and four receptions for 20 yards in Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2018


Danielle Hunter: career-high 3.5 sacks, 9 tackles, 3 TFL and FR TD in Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2018


Eric Kendricks: 2.0 sacks at Detroit on Oct. 25, 2015, en route to earning NFC Player of the Month honors


Marcus Sherels: 77-yard punt return touchdown at Detroit on Dec. 30, 2012


VIKINGS-LIONS SERIES NOTES


1. The Vikings set a team record for most sacks in a single game with 10 takedowns of Matthew Stafford in Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2018.


2. Cris Carter recorded his 1,000th career reception — a 4-yard touchdown — on Nov. 30, 2000, becoming the second player in NFL history with 1,000 catches.


3. Sammy White set the Vikings single-game receiving record with 210 yards in Minnesota on Nov. 7, 1976 on his way to earning NFL Rookie of the Year honors.


4. Scott Studwell set a Vikings single-game record by recording 24 tackles at Detroit on Nov. 17, 1985.


Longest Vikings winning streak in series: 13 games (Oct. 6, 1968 through Sept. 22, 1974)


Longest Vikings losing streak in series: 5 games (Nov. 19, 1961 through Oct. 27, 1963)
 
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