http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2017/11/19/detroit-lions-three-questions/879307001/
Three Detroit Lions questions: Team won't beat Vikings, win NFC North.
Mr.NegativefromtheFreep
Other than the snarky love boat comments, the article is spot on.
What does this win mean for the Lions?
It means the Minnesota Vikings, who improved to 8-2 after putting a 24-7 beating on the L.A. Rams, are coming to Ford Field on Thursday and they?re going to beat the Lions and win the NFC North. Sorry, but the Lions did nothing to convince me they?re a good team by barely beating the now-3-7 Bears, who repeatedly made bad plays and whose coach is about to be fired. And I don?t want to hear any jibber jabber about the Lions going 3-0 in division road games and how it?s tough to win at Soldier Field. They fell behind early, managed just two field goals in the second half and were lucky the Bears kept shooting themselves in the foot ? which is probably what every Bears fan wants to do to Connor Barth after he nearly kicked the tying 46-yard field goal attempt onto Michigan Avenue.
Do the Lions deserve credit for winning in tough conditions against a rival?
Sure, a little. But just a little, because this is one of the worst Bears teams in a while. Mostly, this game was an indictment of the Lions? maddening inconsistency. The offense starts terribly, then it looks great with two quick touchdowns, then it looks bad again. And all this was happening as the Bears were losing defensive players like Leonard Floyd, Eddie Goldman and Kyle Fuller late in the game. The defense played well but struggled a little too much against a rookie quarterback. Credit to D.J. Hayden for his scoop-and-score, but where have all those magical turnovers gone that were happening so often early in the season? It feels like the well has run dry at the wrong time.
What must the Lions do to beat the Vikings on Thanksgiving?
They can hope the Love Boat is still running charters on Lake Minnetonka in order to distract Vikings players this week. Aside from something crazy happening, like lots of wild turnovers or a major injury, the Vikings should cruise to victory. Their defense on Sunday held the red-hot Rams to seven points. L.A. had won four straight and had outscored their past three opponents, 117-24. And the Vikings are even red-hotter, winning six straight while allowing more than 17 points just once in their past eight games. Quarterback Case Keenum is playing well, running back Latavius Murray is running well and Adam Thielen is catching well. Seriously, how much can 53 charter tickets on the Love Boat cost? It might be a wise investment for the Lions to send their NFC North buddies an early Christmas present.
