MINNEAPOLIS -- Why save the best for last when the best game can be played first? Thursday's matchup between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings is perhaps the top game of the week.
|  | | Randy Moss celebrates one of his three TDs with John Davis (86) in a Week 5 win over Detroit. |
It's a terrific game for a few reasons. Minnesota and Detroit are the top two teams in the NFC Central, they played a close game the last time they met on Oct. 1, and the Lions are playing better football under new coach Gary Moeller.
The 10-2 Vikings are exactly what you see. They are a big-play offensive football team that has learned how to play 60 minutes of football, which has really distinguished it from the 1998 Vikings team. The '98 Vikings jumped out to big leads, but if they didn't put a team away, they struggled when teams challenged them late in the game.
This year's Vikings have a well-balanced offense, equally good at running and passing. The Vikings, however, seem to fall behind more frequently this season and usually rely on one, big, difference-making play. Game after game, the Vikings get a long Robert Smith run, or a big Randy Moss catch, or Cris Carter working the sidelines. The other big factor is Daunte Culpepper's legs because the second-year quarterback is an excellent runner.
There is so much to defend in their offense. Besides Moss' deep threat and Smith's ability to go the distance, what happens if the Lions don't contain Culpepper? On every play, a defense has to almost hold its breath and play really sound football. Most importantly, though, the defense has to be conscious of shutting down the big play.
The last time the Lions played Moss, they tried to double-team him, defend him with a combination of man and zone coverage and play him with a straight zone. Moss still caught three touchdown passes against three different coverages. So what's the answer? Try to figure out a way to not let Moss get to the stadium. Hope he misses the bus. Redirect traffic. Do something.
The Lions are a better team since they played the Vikings in a 31-24 loss two months ago. With Gary Moeller in charge, the Lions seem to have more energy, enthusiasm and excitement. Defensive end Robert Porcher is a classic example of their renewed passion for the game. In the first nine games, he had two sacks. The last three weeks, he has had five sacks.
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Give and Take
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The Lions have a chance to close the gap on the Vikings in the NFC Central, especially if their defense continues to be opportunistic. Both teams give up an average of 18.9 points per game, but Detroit leads the NFL in turnover margin while Minnesota ranks 28th. The Lions will also have to prevent big plays by the Vikings offense, which ranks fourth in the league in total yards. Here's a look at how the teams stack up against each other.
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Vikings
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Lions
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Record
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10-2
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8-4*
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PPG
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23.0
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20.6
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Total YPG
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406.1
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289.3
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YPG all.
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318.4
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335.1
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TO margin
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-8
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+13
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* Lions 4-1 on the road
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During their three-game winning streak, the Lions have been more aggressive and played a lot better. One of the changes Moeller made was moving Mike Compton from guard back to center because he has the ability to snap the ball when Charlie Batch is in the shotgun. The Lions went seven games without using the shotgun at all, and Batch got beaten up. Now, with Compton back at center, the shotgun is once again part of the offense. Batch has confidence, and you can see the difference in their passing game.
After studying film of the Lions, certain players have jumped out at me -- and they aren't the usual suspects. They are Compton, linebacker Stephen Boyd and fullback Cory Schlesinger. Because the Lions run so much out of the I-formation, Schlesinger's blocking has been critical. James Stewart had a big game against the Vikings with 123 yards. If Schlesinger is able to block the Vikings' linebackers, Stewart could have another big day, especially since the Vikings' defensive linemen lack size.
The Lions have become more of an attacking offense and are getting Herman Moore and their tight ends, David Sloan and Walter Rasby, more involved. The movement on their offensive line has created more stability.
The improved Lions can beat the Vikings and draw closer in the NFC Central, but they have to do something about Moss.
Here are the keys to Thursday night's game:
Three keys for the Lions
1. Secondary is primary: The Lions' success falls on the shoulders of their secondary. The safeties, Ron Rice and Kurt Schulz, have to play the ball well when it goes up in the air because one of Moss' many strengths is leaping and coming down with the ball. Bryant Westbrook and Terry Fair will have their hands full with Moss. Somehow, they have to deny Moss an opportunity to go deep. And then the inside defenders will be occupied with containing Carter.
2. Boyd must be big: Boyd has to control Smith and the Vikings' running game. The Lions' defensive ends will have to funnel everything inside because they don't want Smith breaking outside and turning the corner. Then, Boyd must make the tackles.
3. Turnovers: The Lions' defense needs to create turnovers, especially on the road. Any way possible, they have to take opportunities away from the Vikings' offense.
Three keys for the Vikings
1. Pressure Batch: Batch has been hit a lot and is still hurting from a bruised sternum and bruised ribs. The Vikings' pass rushers must make Batch feel very uncomfortable in the pocket.
2. Force the pass: The Vikings' defense has to shut down Stewart, taking away the Lions' offensive strength. That would render the Lions' offense one-dimensional. The Lions aren't at their best when Batch must throw the football to generate offense.
3. Make Moss the boss: Moss is the key to the Vikings' success. Minnesota must give Moss the chance to be the star. The Vikings need big plays from Moss. He expects it of himself, and the team expects it of him. Frustrating Moss would hurt the Vikings' offense.
Former NFL quarterback Joe Theismann, an analyst for ESPN's Sunday Night Football, breaks down the Sunday night matchup every week for ESPN.com.
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