Gameday: Vikings vs. Detroit

Kickoff: noon. TV: Ch. 9 (Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan, Chris Myers (sideline reporter). Radio: 1130-AM, 100.3 FM. Line: Vikings by 17.

Series: Vikings lead 64-30-2. The Vikings' 64 victories against the Lions are their most against any opponent. The Vikings have won 61 of their past 82 games against Detroit. Last meeting: Vikings 27, Lions 13 (9/20/09 at Ford Field). Forecast: Indoors.

Prediction: Vikings 34, Detroit 10 Chants of "Fire Childress" could be heard in the Metrodome as Ryan Longwell kicked a 26-yard field goal with nine seconds left on Oct. 12, 2008, to give the Vikings a 12-10 victory over a Lions team that would make NFL history by going 0-16. Brad Childress wasn't fired, of course, and is 15-5 since that game. The Lions (1-7) have a new coach, Jim Schwartz, but haven't won on the road since Oct. 28, 2007 . This should be a cakewalk for the NFC North leaders.

Quick out of the blocks The Lions held a 10-0 lead in Week 2 at Ford Field before the Vikings scored late in the first half. Detroit has been outscored by 42 points in both the second and third quarters this season and by 25 points in the fourth. But they are actually outscoring teams 50-45 in the first quarter. But the Vikings have outscored opponents 52-19 in that same quarter and could prove just how far they have come since their first meeting against Detroit by creating a comfortable early edge.

Interception opportunities Lions QB Matthew Stafford, the first overall pick in April's draft, had seven interceptions in five games entering last Sunday. But Stafford, who missed two games in October because of a knee injury, was picked off five times by the Seahawks, including twice by LB David Hawthorne. LB Chad Greenway had two interceptions against Stafford in Week 2, and the Vikings, who are tied for 23rd in the NFL with only six interceptions, would appear to have an excellent chance to add to that total.

Covering Calvin The Vikings, playing without Pro Bowl cornerback Antoine Winfield (foot) for a third consecutive game, will have a difficult test in trying to shut down the Lions' Calvin Johnson. Johnson wasn't happy about catching only two passes last week at Seattle, but entering that game, he was averaging 100 or more yards in his last eight road games. The Lions will line up Johnson all over the place, even using him out of the backfield, so the defense must account for his whereabouts at all times.

Airing it out Brett Favre was more game manager than star QB when the Vikings beat the Lions at Detroit, throwing for two TDs but only 155 yards. Expect more from Favre this afternoon. The NFL's second-ranked quarterback threw four TD passes in the Vikings' victory at Green Bay on Nov. 1 and will take possession of the league record for most games with four or more TD passes if/when he accomplishes the feat again. Favre is tied with Dan Marino with 21. Considering the Lions are ranked 31st in pass defense, it wouldn't be a shocker to see that mark fall today.