Mike Zimmer was used to tough divisions, coming from the AFC North, where the Steelers, Ravens and Bengals have been pounding on each other with some of the AFC's best and most physical teams in recent years.

But the former Bengals defensive coordinator and current Vikings coach is getting quite the painful introduction to the NFC North. He's 0-4 in the division and has lost games by 32, 14, eight and three points. The 14-point loss was a physical mismatch against the Lions at home. And the Lions controlled that low-scoring game without their best player, receiver Calvin Johnson.

Nine weeks later, Zimmer gets an up-close peek at "Megatron." Make that another peek.

"He made a great play against me a year ago, two great plays actually," Zimmer said. "He went up over three guys and caught a big pass."

When Detroit is praised for being physical, its defensive line is noted. But no receiver in the league is more physical than the 6-5, 236-pound Johnson. That makes him a threat everywhere on the field.

"He's going to fight to get his way to get into the middle," Zimmer said. "He doesn't really care if he gets hit, I don't believe. If you don't have a lot of compete in you, then you're going to get embarrassed with this guy."

THIRD-AND-2

Three observations

• The Broncos are the only team in the top five on offense (four) and defense (four).

• The Saints rank third in offense and 31st in defense. They're the only team in the top five on one side of the ball and the bottom five on the other.

• As wicked as Detroit's pass rush is, the Lions rank 13th in sacks per pass play, 10 spots lower than the Vikings.

Two predictions

• Johnny Manziel will run for two touchdowns while winning his NFL starting debut.

• Aaron Rodgers will be sacked five times in a surprising loss at Buffalo.

MARK CRAIG