The Minnesota Vikings welcome the first place Detroit Lions to TCF Bank stadium this weekend for a week six matchup against a division foe. While Minnesota owns the all-time series against the Lions (69-34-2), Detroit has played the series even (4-4) over the past four seasons and has returned to some scale of relevance within the NFC North Division.

Armed with the NFL's top ranked defense and an always potent offensive attack, the Lions will look to hand the Vikings their fourth loss of the 2014 season. But, it's looking increasingly like they will have to do it without two of their most dangerous offensive weapons?

Both running back Reggie Bush (ankle) and wide receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) left last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills early and have been held OUT of Lions practice so far this week.

Bush, 29, remains one of the league's most dangerous multi-faceted threats. On the ground or through the air, Bush attacks opposing defenses in a variety of ways. While Bush has had some impact against the Vikings, including a 90 yard rushing day in his first game against the Vikings with Detroit, his major impact comes within the passing game.

Since entering the league in 2006, the best course of action for using Reggie has been to get him the ball in open space and let him make defenders miss. In four career games versus the Vikings, Bush has averaged only 3.5 yards per carry on the ground but has accounted for nearly 9 yards per reception through the air and both of his scores against the Vikings have come through the air.

While missing Reggie Bush will have some sort of impact on the Lions offense, it's nothing compared to what missing wide receiver Calvin Johnson will have if his high ankle sprain leaves him unable to play Sunday.

With ten 150-yard receiving games since 2011, five career 200-yard receiving games and an average of 111.7 yards per game the past three seasons, Johnson has continued to be one of the league's most dangerous receiving threats. That said, in two weeks playing on an injured ankle, Johnson has averaged only 9.5 yards per game.

Standing at 6'5" tall, Johnson is no stranger to dominating the opposition. The Vikings were reminded of this all too well in 2012 when Johnson went off for 12 catches, 207 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings in the Metrodome.

Team's understandably notice Calvin when he's on the field and Lions quarterback says this is nothing new.

The NFL's leader in receiving yards per game (minimum of 100 games), Johnson has in essence underperformed historically against the Vikings. While his career average is up at 87.2 receiving yards per game, against the Vikings Johnson averaged only 72.75 yards per game. I say only, with a bit of my tongue firmly implanted in cheek, but comparatively speaking the Vikings have at least contained Johnson. That said, he's so dominant that each and every week is a potential breakout game for Calvin.

While the presence, or lack thereof, of Johnson on the field will change their approach, head coach Mike Zimmer is not taking the Lions passing attack lightly.

The Lions have lost 2 of 3 games against the Vikings where Johnson has been sidelined on game day.

Lions head coach Jim Caldwell said earlier this week that he would consider sitting Johnson to rest him against the Vikings to get him healthy for the rest of the season. We'll continue to follow the situation throughout the week but I wouldn't expect to see Calvin practice at all this week and will become a coaches decision on this week or next.