Herman Moore: Lions must limit Allen

By: Herman Moore
Ford Lions Report Live Analyst
 

It could be three in a row Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

But the Detroit Lions (4-4) have to hone their offensive firepower and execute a similar game plan that was implemented during their 31-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

A 21-point second quarter fueled the Lions as they piled on the second-most points in a game this season. Thanks to three touchdowns from running back Mikel Leshoure, Lions fans saw a facet of the offense that was missing through the first seven games: A legitimate run threat. Which in turn, curbed the need for Matthew Stafford-Calvin Johnson connections.

The Lions should get their third straight win if we continue to see them play as they have the past two weeks.

The Vikings (5-4) downed the Lions in Week 4, 20-13, but have won just two of their past five since their impressive 4-1 start. But don’t let the losses fool you into thinking that Minnesota has tempered. The Vikings are still a dangerous team, and will be for as long as Jared Allen anchors their defense.

The Allen Factor

The 6-foot-6, 270-pound, nine-year NFL veteran is among league leaders with 7.5 sacks on the season. One of those sacks came against Detroit, as did six of his 29 tackles.

Allen is tenacious. Down and distance matter not, as Allen’s motor is in high gear each series. However, the Lions might want to watch him on during a couple of key scenarios:

1.) 1 ^st -and10: Allen has 14 tackles on first downs, two sacks and one forced fumble; he likes to come out strong on each set of downs, set the tone and quickly go to work. That’s what makes Allen elite, his hunger.

  2.) 3 ^rd -and-9 (or more): Allen has two sacks and four tackles when teams face a 3 ^rd -and-long. Pressure never stops if you’re Allen.

Harvin Hampered

Aside from his game-opening kickoff return for a touchdown, Vikings star receiver Percy Harvin didn’t have much of a sayon the offensive side of the ball in a 20-13 win over Detroit earlier this season. He accumulated just 22 yards on 3 catches.

Harvin is expected to miss this matchup due to a sprained ankle and was quoted earlier this week as saying it would be a "longshot" for him to play this Sunday.

Herman Moore joins Tom Leyden and Rob Rubick on the Ford Lions Report Live every Sunday at 11am throughout the season. You can follow Herman on Twitter @HMAN84