Game Prediction: MIN 26, DET 17

Update: Bates has been downgraded to questionable with his foot injury and may not play. I am removing his projections and fantasy owners should err on the side of caution and not play him. Kelly Campbell would be his first replacement though Nate Burleson would also get increased time as well. Mikhael Ricks is still the starter, but he needs a good game here after dropping two passes last week and allowing one to bounce off the back of his helmet. Keep an eye on him and rookie Casey Fitszimmons who was impressive. Az-Zahir Hakim may also finally return to the field after his hip injury last year. I am not including numbers for him though he could play and replace Shawn Jefferson.

The Vikings are 2-0 and by next week will be 3-0. A little better defense and a softer schedule will do that.

Daunte Culpepper only threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns and only gained 17 yards on seven runs last week. The Bears did a good job on Randy Moss (4-27) but were done in by the two touchdowns to TE Jim Kleinsasser. The Bears were unable to stop Moe Williams (21-108, 1 TD) when it counted though they put up a better fight than anticipated. The Vikings rushed for a total of 202 yards in the game and Onterrio Smith added 47 yards on nine carries in his debut. Williams also had 50 yards on four catches while Smith had one catch for nine yards.

The Vikings used Moss largely as a decoy in the game as he ran deep and attracted literally three defenders, leaving the #3 receiver Kelly Campbell open for a 51 yard gain and allowing more room to rush for the running game. With Williams and Smith running so well, the Vikings enjoyed a clock advantage of almost 2:1 over the Bears.

Chicago had drawn to a 13-17 deficit in the third quarter but Minnesota led a 16 play drive for almost ten minutes of the fourth quarter to put the game away. That one drive was a huge confidence booster for the offensive line.

Dwayne Bates (2-18) bruised his foot in the game but should be available this week.

The Lions left their feel good win in week one over the Cardinals and went to Green Bay where they were trampled 31-6 in a game that was not really that close.

Joey Harrington threw for 241 yards but completed only 26 of 55 passes and tossed three interceptions, one becoming an "insult to injury" defensive score in the fourth quarter. After his two touchdown outing against Arizona, rookie Charles Rogers only managed 38 yards on four catches. The only good passing play in the game was the one catch by Scotty Anderson for 42 yards.

The Lions run defense was more of a swinging gate than a wall, allowing Ahman Green to gain 160 yards and not affording Brett Favre the opportuntity to kill them instead.

Shawn Bryson was the best runner, gaining 43 yards on seven carries and adding 48 more on five catches. Olandis Gary gained an embarrassing 9 yards on eight carries though he almost doubled that with two catches for seven yards. Bryson takes the lead for now.

The rookie Casey Fitzsimmons had two catches for 18 yards which is notable since Mikhael Ricks only had two grabs for 14 yards and yet dropped two passes and had one other pass carom off the back of his helmet. If Ricks does not improve, Fitzsimmons may see increased playing time. And trust me - this team is going to be throwing the ball.

These teams played each other in the final game of last year and the Vikings barely escaped with a 38-36 win when Mike McMahon had a freaky 293 yard, three touchdown game. These Vikings are better than that on defense and the Lions are worse on offense. Randy Moss had either 100 yards or a score both times these teams played last year and with the running game in Minnesota looking good - plenty good for Detroit - he'll get his opportunities. Moe Williams will turn in another good rushing effort but will share with Onterrio Smith this week.