Lions at Vikings preview: Look out, it's…
Lions at Vikings preview: Look out, it's another backup quarterback in Detroit's David Blough
Detroit Lions quarterback David Blough throws against the Chicago Bears during an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
By Chris Tomasson | ctomasson@pioneerpress.com | Pioneer Press
LIONS (3-8-1) AT VIKINGS (8-4)
Kickoff: Noon Sunday
Where: U.S. Bank Stadium
TV: KMSP-Channel 9; Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman, Shannon Spake
Radio: KFXN-FM 100.3; Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman
Series: Vikings lead 75-39-2
Line: Vikings by 13
The NFL North rivals meet for the second time this season; Minnesota won the first meeting 42-30 in Detroit on Oct. 20. The Vikings have won four straight over the Lions after losing three in a row.
David Blough, a rookie out of Purdue, gets his second NFL start as the Lions play a fifth straight game without injured quarterback Matt Stafford. In his first NFL game, Blough completed 22 of 38 passes for 280 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in a 24-20 home loss to Chicago on Thanksgiving.
The Vikings have had issues playing against backup quarterbacks this season. They lost 16-6 at Chicago in Week 4 when Chase Daniel replaced Mitchell Trubisky on the first series. And they lost 26-23 at Kansas City in Week 9 when Matt Moore filled in for Patrick Mahomes.
The Vikings, looking to bounce back from a 37-30 loss at Seattle on Monday, likely will again be without Adam Thielen. The star receiver, listed as doubtful with a hamstring injury, has missed three straight games and four of the past five. Without Thielen, quarterback Kirk Cousins has spread the ball around more, including making more use of tight ends Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith Jr.
Both teams will look to mount a running attack. Minnesota's Dalvin Cook is sixth in the NFL in rushing with 1,046 yards, and Detroit rookie Bo Scarbrough has 236 yards in his first three NFL games after being promoted from the practice squad.
Chris joined the Pioneer Press in 2013 to cover the Vikings. He was a longtime NBA writer with the Akron Beacon Journal, Rocky Mountain News and AOL FanHouse. Before coming to Minnesota, he covered the Miami Heat and Dolphins for Fox Sports. Chris has won six awards in the past three Pro Football Writers of America contests. Chris is a graduate of Northwestern University, where he spent his college years watching the losingest team in the history of Division I-A football.
Follow Chris Tomasson	@christomasson