Sam Bradford: Vikings’ offense needs ‘explosive plays’

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) and cornerback Darius Slay (23) celebrate after a play during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field.

The Lions, at 7-4, lead the Vikings, who dropped to 6-5, by a game. Let’s go out, play football.

Aug 16, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Tim Tebow (11) warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lincoln Financial Field.

This is one of the worst Vikings’ offenses in recent memory, I’ll grant everyone that. “We’ve just got to figure out how to win these games”. Minnesota has adjusted its offensive approach since Norv Turner resigned as Vikings offensive coordinator and was replaced by Pat Shurmur.

“It was a ideal call”, Slay said of the Lions defense.

How uncommon has the Lions’ season been?

Bradford hadn’t attacked down the field all day, and this would be no exception.

Prater nailed a 58-yard kick at the end of regulation in Minnesota earlier this month, setting up Detroit’s 22-16 overtime win.

Meanwhile, the Lions will keep giving their fans indigestion. Slay’s interception was his second of the season and sixth of his career.

This is a group with a confident quarterback, a clutch kicker and a defense that is starting to make big plays when necessary.

When asked about the Lions’ ability to convert some key third downs, Greenway suggested Detroit’s offensive line was breaking the rulebook and getting away with it. Opponents converted over 52 percent against the Lions woeful defense. He got through four whole games (two as a starter) before he got hurt. The Vikings were 2-for-10 on third down. The last straw for Cheffers and crew minus some questionable calls against the Lions early was not being able to identify a simple tipped pass as a non-flaggable offense. “We’re just battling, that’s more than anything”. Last week, Minnesota halted a four-game losing streak with a 30-24 win over the Cardinals, holding Carson Palmer to just 198 passing yards and sacking him four times.

Slay intercepted Sam Bradford’s pass from the left hash across the field to help send Detroit into sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

With a laser arm and A+ accuracy, Bradford has the tools to fire the ball into traffic or launch one deep or put the ball where only his man can get it in the back of the end zone. The Cowboys’ first Thanksgiving game was also a sellout, and the tradition stuck permanently after 1978.

In the first win over Minnesota, a goal line stand spearheaded by reserve LB Josh Bynes saved the day. More importantly, he’s a flawless 25-for-25 in game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the fourth quarter or overtime in his career. He’s been keener to use situational substitutions, such as inserting Killebrew or deploying corner Johnson Bademosi on faster receivers in lieu of Nevin Lawson.

“Every time we go out there, we assume someone is going to make a play, ” Slay said. Granted, nobody’s confusing Stafford with Manning (though they were both No. 1 picks) or the ’09 Colts with the ’16 Lions, but they both have a contagious unflappability passed onto their teams.