Detroit Lions Need To Copy the Minnesota Vikings

As I watched the Minnesota Vikings tear up the Chicago Bears, my wife leaned over to me and asked why the Vikings defense was so good.

I summed it up by telling her that because the Viking offense is so methodical and time-consuming, the defense is able to play at a high level for the whole game. By having such a clock-killing offense, it keeps the opposing offense off of the field.

The Bears defense, once considered the marquee defense in the NFL, was worn down to the tune of a 36-10 defeat.

The Vikings also have a front four that is the envy of most teams. Still, even with a talent level that high, if they had to be out on the field for as long as the Lions defense needed to be, they wouldn't be as effective.

As good as Calvin Johnson is (and the scary part is we don't know how good he's going to be), he still needs a partner in crime to take some of the coverage away from him. Dennis Northcut and Bryant Johnson have not stepped up to the plate, with too many dropped passes and bad route-running. 

The Lions might want to take a look at the free-agent market, with perhaps Antonio Bryant or Steve Breaston. If Miles Austin isn't re-signed by the Cowboys, the Lions should make a strong run at him. 

One more playmaker is what the Lions need to give Stafford.

Consider Calvin Johnson and Miles Austin on the wings, Brandon Pettigrew as TE, with Kevin Smith and Aaron Brown coming out of the backfield. All would be great options to throw to.

The best friend to a defense is a time-killing offense. If there is anything I want to see the Lions improve on it's to cut down on the number of three-and-outs that occur. 

With that being said, the Lions do need to beef up the defense. I feel like the lone voice suggesting to get an elite left tackle, since so many people think that Jeff Backus is serviceable. 

It wouldn't break my heart if the Lions got a huge defensive tackle with their first pick. 

They will draft somewhere between four and eight for the 2010 draft so we can forget about Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. The 6'4" 305 lb. tackle will be snapped up by Tampa Bay.

The best that the Lions can hope for is either Gerald McCoy (if he declares) from Oklahoma or Terence Cody from Alabama.

That is, if they don't go for an elite left tackle with the first pick.