No Section

The Call: Detroit at Vikings

By Matt Vensel

October 12, 2014 at 2:45AM

2:39

(Master Tesfatsion/Master Tesfatsion)

WEEK 6: noon vs. Detroit• ch. 9 (100.3-FM, 1130-AM)

24

Vikings

20

Lions

One man's prediction: The Vikings have been ungracious hosts, winning 15 of their past 16 home games against the NFC North rival. That dominance spanned four coaching regimes, and Mike Zimmer can become the latest to tame the Lions. With Teddy Bridgewater back and the Lions likely without their best offensive weapon, the Vikings eke out a much-needed victory.

Three keys

BRIDGEWATER's BACK

After missing the blowout loss to the Packers, Teddy Bridgewater will make his second NFL start. The first one went pretty well, with the rookie picking apart a porous Falcons secondary to earn NFL Rookie of the Week honors. Bridgewater says his ankle is fine now, and that's a good thing because the Lions, who have the league's second-best scoring defense, will pose a much greater challenge.

WHERE'S THE MOUTHWASH?

The 10-day layoff after the humiliating loss in Green Bay has been beneficial. For one, it allowed Bridgewater and safety Harrison Smith to recover from injuries. It also gave the coaching staff time to do a little self-scouting so they could try to get back to what has worked for them this season. But consider Zimmer ready to roll. "We've had this bad taste in our mouth" since then, he said Friday.

MEGATRON UNPLUGGED?

The Lions could be without their two most dangerous offensive weapons. Wideout Calvin Johnson, who has seven career touchdowns against the Vikings, is doubtful, and running back Reggie Bush is listed as questionable. The Lions have other playmakers in receiver Golden Tate, running back Joique Bell and rookie tight end Eric Ebron, but missing those two would certainly help the Vikings' chances.

Player to watch

Ndamukong Suh

Detroit's nasty defensive tackle has only one sack this season, but he remains one of the most disruptive interior pass rushers in the NFL. Through five games, Suh has 17 total quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, the most at his position. He will be a handful on the interior for Vikings left guard Charlie Johnson, center John Sullivan and right guard Vlad Ducasse.

Teddy Bridgewater, back from an ankle injury, will get a stiff test in his second start against a good Detroit Lions defense. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) runs off the field during an NFL game against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini) (The Minnesota Star Tribune)