PLAYER NOTES
–CB Jamal Agnew returned to the 53-man roster Wednesday after spending the past nine weeks on injured reserve. Agnew suffered a partially torn ACL in a Week 5 win over the Green Bay Packers. An All-Pro punt returner last season as a rookie, it’s unclear if Agnew will play Sunday against the Vikings.
–DL Da’Shawn Hand was placed on injured reserve Monday with a sprained MCL. Hand, one of the Lions’ most consistent defensive linemen this year, finished his rookie season with 27 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
–K Matt Prater missed the first potential game-winning or game-tying kick in the fourth quarter or overtime of his career in last week’s loss to the Bills. Prater is now 91 of 98 on field goals in the fourth quarter or overtime for his career.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: RB Zach Zenner. The Lions gave Zenner his most extensive playing time of the season in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, and Zenner delivered with 45 yards on 10 carries and his second touchdown of the season. The Lions have taken a committee approach with their backfield since Kerryon Johnson’s injury, but Zenner has been the most effective member of a group that also includes LeGarrette Blount and Theo Riddick. In a Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals, Zenner handled four-minute duties and helped run out the clock on a 17-3 win with 11 fourth-quarter carries for 52 yards. He’s a solid special-teams player who could stick around as a backup next season.
GAME PLAN: The Lions nearly got Matthew Stafford killed the last time they played the Vikings, when they allowed 10 sacks and dropped Stafford back to pass nearly 50 times. The Lions have overhauled their offense out of necessity since then, and they’ll do their best to keep Stafford out of harm’s way this week. That means trying to establish the run earlier – and sticking with it if it doesn’t work – and doing their best to get the ball out of Stafford’s hands early. As has been the case in recent weeks, the Lions will use more of their big-personnel packages with extra tight ends and offensive linemen on the field, but it’s still important to take a few shots deep with Kenny Golladay.
Defensively, the Lions shut down Adam Thielen in their first meeting by using Nevin Lawson in coverage with help shaded over the top. Lawson should draw the assignment on Thielen again, while top cornerback Darius Slay matches up with Stefon Diggs, who missed the first meeting with a rib injury. The Lions played well against the Vikings in November. They allowed one long drive to start the game, one long run after that and not much else. If they can hold Minnesota’s running game in check again, they’ll take their chances with Kirk Cousins and hope his mistakes lead to Lions points.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH:
–Vikings DE Danielle Hunter vs. Lions RT Rick Wagner. Hunter absolutely dominated the Lions in November when he made nine tackles, had 3.5 sacks and recovered a fumble. He’s owned Wagner throughout his career, and owned the Lions with seven sacks in his last four games against the team. Wagner missed last week’s loss to the Bills with a concussion but should be back on the field Sunday. He’s been good in the run game this year, but less effective in pass protection. If he can’t handle Hunter one-on-one, the Lions will have to give him help or risk getting Stafford abused again.
–Vikings RB Dalvin Cook vs. Lions LB Jarrad Davis. Cook had 20 touches in a commanding win over the Miami Dolphins last week as interim Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski made it a priority to run the football. The Lions have been rock-solid against the run of late, allowing an average of just 79 yards rushing over their last six games. Davis has played his best football of the season during that time. He’s a violent hitter and he’s looked more comfortable with his reads. Cook had one big run against the Lions in their first meeting, a 70-yarder that set up a first-half touchdown. If Davis and the Lions keep him in check Sunday, they should find themselves in another game that goes down to the wire.