When the Vikings and Lions get together for their game on Sunday, each team will bring with them a defensive line champing at the bit to get after the opposing quarterback. Leading the charge for their respective groups are Vikings DE Everson Griffen and Lions DT Ndamukong Suh, the subject of this week's Ticketmaster Hot Matchup.
Griffen and the Vikings will enter Sunday's game eager because they're coming off a 42-10 loss to another division rival – Green Bay – on national television last Thursday night. While the Vikings did get to Packers QB Aaron Rodgers twice and Griffen collected 1.0 of those sacks, that was just a small victory compared to the three touchdown passes and 35 offensive points scored by Rodgers and Co.
There's plenty of reason to believe Griffen will lead the charge in a bounce-back effort by the Vikings defense this week. The Lions offense is formidable, no doubt, but they have allowed 17 sacks already this season, second-worst in the NFL behind only Jacksonville. Also, Griffen has 4.0 sacks in seven career games against this bunch and he does lead the Vikings in sacks with 3.0 and is tied for second in quarterback hurries with nine this season. Griffen will likely be matched up with Lions LT Riley Reiff for much of Sunday afternoon.
Suh is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles. Since entering the NFL in 2010, he has the most combined sacks and tackles for loss on running plays by defensive tackles with 52 and he ranks tied for second in sacks (28.5) and tied for first in TFLs (23.5).
View images from the Wednesday, October 8 practice at Winter Park.
While Suh has just 1.0 sack in 2014, he's part of a Lions defensive line that is anchoring arguably the NFL's top defense entering Week 6. Detroit leads the NFL in offensive yards allowed per game (282.4), ranks third in rushing yards allowed per game (74.4) and sixth in passing yards allowed per game (208). The Lions are also fourth in offensive points allowed per game, yielding just 79 through the first five games.
Suh may not be filling up the stat sheets yet, but his presence along the defensive line commands attention from opposing offenses and creates opportunities for his defensive teammates.
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