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When it comes to their defense, the Lions check in at #26 in football when it comes to total yards allowed per game. Opposing air attacks have notched 249 yards per game against Detroit this year (#14 in football). Opposing ball-carriers have ranked #22 against them with 4.60 yards per ground attempt. This Lions defense hits their peak effectiveness when it comes to defending opposing wide receivers, allowing them to complete just 64.8% of their passes (#9-lowest in the league). Detroit's defensive effectiveness bottoms out when it comes to defending opposing wide receivers, who have scorched them for 9.39 yards per target (#4-worst in the league).
Minnesota's biggest weakness has been their defense, ranking #29 in the league while allowing 395 yards per game. Much of their struggle has come in trying to shut down the run game, as they've allowed opposing ball-carriers to rush for the #6-most yards per carry: 4.77. That's not to give any unnecessary credit to their pass defense, though, which checks in at #6-worst in yards per target (8.32). What makes Minnesota's issues all the more troublesome is that they've struggled in spite of stacking the box with an extra defender 16.7% of the time -- #10-most of any team in football. The Vikings linebackers have played a big part in their inability to stop the run, ranking #2-worst in the NFL by this measure.
In terms of their offense, the Vikings have ranked #8 in the league in total yards per game. They've passed for 268 yards per game (#8 in football). On the ground they've ranked #14 with 4.57 yards per carry. They've been most effective throwing to wide receivers, who have hauled in 73.3% of the balls thrown their way this year (ranking #2).
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