Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions is a DVOA Dream
The NFC North is home to four of the best NFL teams right now. And Week 7 will deliver a fantastic matchup between the Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings. As if there wasn’t enough excitement already for this upcoming Lions vs Vikings matchup, there are some insane numbers that highlight the greatness of these two defenses.
Minnesota is joined by the Kansas City Chiefs as the only two undefeated NFL teams right now. However, the Vikings (+63) and Chiefs (+33) are separated by a massive point differential. Minnesota also boasts a better resume of wins, which is why it sits atop the NFL power rankings.
Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions is defensive matchup dreams were made of
The Lions and Vikings are two of the best NFL teams in 2024. Both stand out as viable Super Bowl contenders. Combined, the two NFC North rivals have a 9-1 record with a +123 point differential. In addition, as highlighted by Alec Lewis of The Athletic, it’s a matchup between two of the best DVOA teams in the league. The Vikings are 1st (41 percent) with Detroit (34.1 percent) right behind in 2nd.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Stats That Explain Undefeated Start
| DVOA | EPA per Play | PFF grade (Overall) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lions offense | 17.5% (3rd) | 0.14 (3rd) | 90.6 (3rd) |
| Vikings offense | 0% (18th) | 0.017 (14th) | 75.9 (8th) |
| Lions defense | -14.3% (4th) | -0.071 (11th) | 84.3 (1st) |
| Vikings defense | -38.7% (1st) | -0.214 (1st) | 71.2 (9th) |
Sunday’s Lions vs Vikings game is the classic irresistible force paradox. What happens when an unstoppable force (Detroit’s offense) meets an immovable object (Minnesota’s defense)? It’s particularly interesting when you get down to the specific matchups. Matchups that will dictate the winner of this game (and the leader in the NFC North after Week 7).
Also Read: NFL defense rankings, see where Minnesota Vikings land
One such matchup is a Lions defense with a 22 percent pressure rate facing Sam Darnold. The USC alum has played at an MVP-caliber level (third-best QB rating, 113.0) when the pocket is clean. But that rating sees a 33-point drop when pressured.
Brian Flores vs Jared Goff
On the other side of the ball, the Vikings’ defense has the second-highest pressure rate (32.6 percent) in the NFL. Part of that is thanks to Minnesota having the highest blitz rate (41.1 percent) in the league. You can bet defensive coordinator Brian Flores will dial up the heat, too. This season, Jared Goff has a 115.0 QB rating (2nd) from a clean pocket, compared to 77.8 (14th) when pressured.
Related: NFL Week 7 predictions, including Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings
Obviously, a variety of other factors will dictate just how well Minnesota’s pass rush fares against an excellent Lions offensive line. Likewise, Detroit will face much more difficulty generating pressure now that Aidan Hutchinson is lost for the season. We’ll dive into more Lions vs Vikings stats in our matchup preview later this week, but this game should be one of the best of the 2024 NFL season.
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