The call: Vikings at Detroit

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Lions

19

Vikings

One man's prediction: The Vikings tamed the Lions in a 26-16 victory at TCF Bank Stadium in Week 2, but this one figures to be a much tougher test. The Lions are coming off their first win of 2015, and their offense finally found some life in a 37-34 overtime win over the Bears. The Vikings, meanwhile, still are looking to find balance offensively. They are the better team, but they have struggled to move the ball on the road. That will continue at Ford Field.

Rivals on the road

Believe it or not, it has been three years since the Vikings last defeated an NFC North team on the road. And since Brett Favre led them to a win at Lambeau Field in 2009, they are 1-14-1 in road divisional games, including going 0-3 in 2014, coach Mike Zimmer's first season in Minnesota. If the Vikings want to make things interesting in the division, they need to get back to beating their closest rivals on the road again.

Rookie wide receiver Stefon Diggs got his first career start in last week's 16-10 win over the Chiefs. He seized the opportunity with seven catches for 129 yards, leading teammates to compare him to Steelers star receiver Antonio Brown. Week 1 starter Charles Johnson is likely to return from a rib injury, but it appears that Diggs has stolen his starting split end job. Johnson probably still will have a role, though.

One in, another out

Defensive end Everson Griffen will be back after missing the Chiefs game because of an undisclosed illness. But the Vikings will be without the services of Sharrif Floyd, their disruptive third-year defensive tackle. With Floyd ruled out, backup Tom Johnson is capable of filling in. New nose tackle Kenrick Ellis, who joined the team Wednesday, might have to play more than is preferable.

Matthew Stafford