Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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VIKINGS-LIONS CONNNECTIONS
Vikings GM Rick Spielman began his NFL career with the Lions as a college scout (1990-94) before adding pro scouting duties (1995-96).
Vikings T Riley Reiff started 69 of 77 games played for the Lions from 2012-16 after he was selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Minnesota RB Ameer Abdullah started 22 of 35 games for Detroit from 2015-18.
Lions Offensive Coordinator Darrell Bevell worked in the same role with the Vikings from 2006-10.
Detroit offensive line coach Jeff Davidson held the same position with Minnesota from 2011-15, and assistant offensive line coach Hank Fraley was with the Vikings from 2014-16.
Lions tight ends coach Chris White was the Vikings assistant special teams coach from 2009-12.
Detroit CB Justin Coleman signed with Minnesota in 2015 as an undrafted free agent but was released prior to the season.
Lions QB Kyle Sloter spent the first two seasons of his NFL career with the Vikings but did not play in a regular-season game.
Detroit P Matt Wile (on the practice squad) averaged 41.3 yards on 72 punts for Minnesota in 2018.
LOCAL CONNECTIONS
There are three Michigan natives — QB Kirk Cousins, TE Tyler Conklin and LB Eric Wilson — and four players who attended college in Michigan — Cousins, Conklin, Ben Gedeon (Injured Reserve) and Trae Waynes — on the Vikings roster.
Lions OL Frank Ragnow attended Chanhassen High School.
COACHING CONNECTIONS
Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator in Dallas (2000-06) when Lions Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was with the Cowboys from 2005-07.
Minnesota Defensive Coordinator George Edwards (2005-09) coached with Pasqualoni (2008-09) and Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego (2008-10) at Miami.
Vikings linebackers coach Adam Zimmer worked with Bonamego in New Orleans (2006-07).
PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS
Minnesota G Josh Kline (2013-15) played for the Patriots when Detroit Head Coach Matt Patricia was on New England’s staff (2004-17).
COLLEGE CONNECTIONS
Vikings TE Tyler Conklin (2014-17) played under Lions Special Teams Coordinator John Bonamego (2015-18) at Central Michigan.
Minnesota DT Shamar Stephen (2009-13) was with Connecticut when Detroit Defensive Coordinator Paul Pasqualoni was head coach.
Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes (2009-12) and Lions LB Christian Jones (2010-13) teamed together at Florida State.
Minnesota G Pat Elflein (2012-16) and Lions T Taylor Decker (2012-15) were teammates at Ohio State.
VIKINGS TOP PERFORMERS VS. LIONS
Kirk Cousins: 4 games (4 starts — 3 with MIN), 93-of-123 passing (75.0 percent), 1,056 yards, 9 TD, 1 INT, 121.9 passer rating; 10 rushes for 16 yards and 1 TD
Dalvin Cook: 4 games (3 starts), 64 rushes, 370 yards, 3 TDs; 9 receptions for 70
Stefon Diggs: 6 games (5 starts), 38 receptions, 504 yards, 2 TDs; 3 rushes for 30 yards
Adam Thielen: 11 games (7 starts), 36 receptions, 426 yards, 2 TDs; 2 rushes for 8 yards
Kyle Rudolph: 15 games (14 starts), 61 receptions, 617 yards, 9 TDs
Everson Griffen: 18 games (11 starts), 45 tackles (league stats), 15 sacks, 16 TFL, 1 FF
Danielle Hunter: 8 games (5 starts), 24 tackles (league stats), 8.0 sacks, 9 TFL, 2 FR; returned fumble recovery 32 yards for TD
VIKINGS BIG DAYS VS. LIONS
Kirk Cousins: highest passer rating as a member of the Vikings (141.4) after completing 24 of 34 passes for 337 yards and four touchdowns at Detroit on Oct. 20, 2019
Dalvin Cook: 100 or more scrimmage yards in three games against the Lions
Stefon Diggs: first career TD at Detroit on Oct. 25, 2015, when he totaled six catches for 108 yards
Kyle Rudolph: career-high 122 receiving yards and 2 TDs at Detroit on Dec. 23, 2018
Danielle Hunter: career-high 3.5 sacks and 32-yard return of fumble for TD in Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2018
Everson Griffen: at least 1.0 sack in six consecutive games against the Lions
Eric Kendricks: 2.0 sacks at Detroit on Oct. 25, 2015, on his way to finishing October as the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month
VIKINGS-LIONS SERIES NOTES
1. Sunday’s game will be the 117th meeting in the regular season between Minnesota and Detroit. The Vikings have claimed four wins in a row.
2. Minnesota set a team single-game record by sacking Matthew Stafford 10 times on Nov. 4, 2018.
3. Vikings Legends Scott Studwell set a single-game record for tackles (24 in 1985), and Sammy White posted a regular-season franchise record with 210 receiving yards in 1976.
4. Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter recorded his 1,000th career reception (on a 4-yard TD) against Detroit on Nov. 30, 2000.
Longest Vikings winning streak in series: 13 games (Oct. 6, 1968 through Sept. 22, 1974)
Longest Vikings losing streak in series: 5 games (Nov. 19, 1961 through Oct. 27, 1963)