Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye grabbed his fifth interception for the team against Chicago last week and is now getting a rematch with Vikings Pro Bowl wide receiver Justin Jefferson.
The two fought in week 5 and Jefferson defeated Oruwariye in that week. Jefferson was attacked six times while Oruwariye was covering him, and he caught five of these targets at 101 yards, including a 37-yard length. The one imperfection was a drop from Jefferson. In total, Jefferson made seven passes for 124 yards that day.
Jefferson already has over 1,000 yards (1,027) a year with six scores. Oruwariye’s five interceptions are the third most common in the NFL this season. This will be a good matchup to be seen from the outside.
Don’t be surprised if there is one great special team game that plays a huge role in the bottom line of this game. The Vikings are the best kickoff return team in the NFL, with Kene Nwangwu averaging 41.3 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns in his last five games. Detroit ranks sixth in kickoff coverage, allowing an average of only 19.3 yards per game.
The Lions rank fifth in the league with a return average of 11.6 yards. Caliph Raymond’s 48-yard punt return in Pittsburgh is the longest in the NFL this season, and its 12.3-yard average ranks third in the league. There was no punt-return touchdown in the NFL year round. It will be the first time since 1960 that the league has gone into December without a punt return for a result, according to former Dallas Morning News columnist Rick Gosselin. Minnesota has the sixth best punt coverage unit in the league (6.8 yards per return).
What special team unit can make a difference in this game?
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