I told you guys I would eventually get one, I just needed time to warm up. I nailed my bold prediction for the l[ast Detroit Lions game](/detroit-lions-game-preview/145890/detroit-lions-tampa-bay-buccaneers-bold-prediction-reignite-running-game), and I’m looking to start a streak this week. There were a lot of good options to choose from in this matchup, but I decided to focus on the offense once again.
Coming off their bye week, the Lions stay home and take on the Minnesota Vikings for the first time this season. The Vikings enter with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who’s returning from an ankle injury that held him out for six weeks, and the team [isn’t as strong as it’s been the past few years](/detroit-lions-game-preview/146712/detroit-lions-week-9-scouting-report-these-vikings-arent-like-years-past). Despite the Vikings being 3-4, they can’t be overlooked as the Lions need to treat them like any other opponent, and I believe they will.
The Lions’ offense has been doing well, but a big piece of them hasn’t gotten going so far this season. I think this week is the perfect chance for the Lions’ fastest player to zoom past Minnesota’s defense and find paydirt.
After having his first-ever 1,000-yard season last year, Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams has fallen hard this season. It’s not because of talent, injuries, suspensions, or off-field issues; he just hasn’t been given the ball. Williams’ last season finished with 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns on 58 catches, averaging 17.3 yards per catch in 15 games. This year, Williams has only 289 yards and two touchdowns on 17 catches, averaging 17 yards per catch in seven games.
A big difference this season compared to last is the number of targets Williams is getting. Last year, Williams got 91 passes thrown his way; this year, only 30. Now the team still has 10 games left to play, and while Williams is on pace for 73, he could be getting used more in this offense. On Thursday, Lions offensive coordinator John Morton discussed how he needs to get Williams more involved in the offense to finish off the year.
“I’m going to do a better job with that. But there has been opportunities where it just didn’t happen. It’s not like we aren’t going to try to target him. So, that was the biggest thing. So, I looked at everything, and I failed him. That’s what I told him,” Morton said.
Later in the day on Thursday, Williams didn’t ignore the struggles he’s been dealing with this season, appreciated Morton admitting the problem, and dismissed any frustration with Morton in the offense.
“It means a lot, you know, because he obviously sees it,” Williams said. “That’s just the main thing, acknowledging it. You know, we went so long without acknowledging it. So, you know, acknowledging it was the best thing about that (conversation). I ain’t frustrated at all. How could I be frustrated? I’m me.”
With Morton admitting Williams needs to be more involved in the offense, I think this week he’ll do his best to get him the ball early and often. In his four games against the Vikings, Williams hasn’t had much to talk about.
**2022 - 1 game, 1 catch, 41 yards, 1 touchdown**
**2023 - 1 game, 5 catches 43 yards**
**2024 - 2 games, 7 catches, 30 yards**
Outside of the memorable first-career touchdown for Williams back in 2022, he seems to struggle against the Vikings. This year, that changes. I believe he has his best game ever against the Vikings, getting over 100 receiving yards and scoring a touchdown on Sunday.
One reason is what I mentioned above: Morton is aware of the lack of Williams in the offense, and wants to fix that. Morton will design more plays for Williams to get him the football, whether that is on sweeps, quick slants, or maybe more screens. We know Morton loves the wide receiver screens.
The other reason is that the Vikings’ secondary isn’t playing well. According to PFF, they have the 10th-worst coverage grade of 52.8. According to Pro Football Reference, they allow 11.2 yards per catch, sixth-highest in the NFL, and they’re sixth-highest in QB rating allowed of 104. Another issue is they can’t get their hand on the ball on defense, only snagging three interceptions, and 17 pass deflections, tied for the second-fewest.
A struggling secondary for Minnesota also might have a starter banged up in cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who has been limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. When you have a secondary that isn’t playing at a high level, possibly down a starter, and going up against an offense signaling for changes to get one of their playmakers the ball more, that is a perfect recipe for someone to have a great game. When Jamo goes off Sunday afternoon, just know I will be cooking up another bold prediction for next week.