The Lions are a 6.5-point underdog in this game, likely creating a passing game script.
THE BLITZ projects the Detroit Lions offense as the 10th-quickest paced team in the league (adjusted for context) at the present time, averaging 26.55 seconds per snap.
This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher touchdown potential, and better passing efficiency.
Opposing offenses have averaged 36.3 pass attempts per game versus the Minnesota Vikings defense since the start of last season: 7th-most in the NFL.
THE BLITZ projects T.J. Hockenson to total 6.6 targets this week, on average, placing him in the 95th percentile among TEs.
Cons
THE BLITZ projects the Detroit Lions as the 7th-least pass-oriented team in the league (adjusted for context) at the present time with a 58.7% pass rate.
T.J. Hockenson’s sure-handedness have worsened this year, with his Completion% decreasing from 74.4% to 45.6%.
T.J. Hockenson’s pass-catching efficiency has worsened this year, compiling just 4.11 yards-per-target compared to a 7.12 mark last year.
T.J. Hockenson has been among the worst TEs in the NFL at grinding out extra yardage, averaging a measly 3.46 yards-after-the-catch (YAC) since the start of last season while grading out in the 13th percentile.
The Minnesota Vikings pass defense has surrendered the 5th-lowest Completion% in the NFL (65.6%) to TEs since the start of last season (65.6%).