Minnesota heads to Detroit as this longtime NFC Central rivalry is renewed once again.

While the Vikings have traditionally owned the upper hand in this series (46-27-2), Minnesota owns only a two-game edge (8-6) in the teams' last 14 meetings dating back to Dennis Green's arrival in the Twin Cities in 1992.

Last season, the Vikings swept this rivalry for the second time in three years. In Week 3 at the Metrodome (Week 3), Lions QB Charles Batch made his NFL debut and Vikings QB Randall Cunningham made his first start of the '98 season, but it was Minnesota's aggressive defense which forced four Detroit turnovers and sacked Batch five times, while Vikings PK Gary Anderson booted five field goals as Dennis Green's club posted a 29-6 win.

Five weeks later at the Silverdome (Week 8), Cunningham threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns (2 INTs) and RB Robert Smith chipped in with 134 yards rushing and a score as Green's team completed the sweep, 34-13.

After posting five straight wins at the Silverdome from 1986-90, the Vikings are just 3-5 in their last eight visits to Pontiac dating back to 1991.

Numbers: After scoring at least 24 points in each of their 18 games (including playoffs) in 1998, Vikings have been limited to 22 or fewer points in each of their five contests in '99.

The Vikings have allowed 0 sacks in two wins, 12 sacks in three losses in '99.

The Vikings have one turnover in two wins, 10 turnover in three losses in '99.

Since 1996, the Vikings have 85 takeaways in 35 wins, 17 takeaways in 18 losses in 53 regular-season contests. Including playoffs, the Lions have allowed 221 points in 16 victories (17 or fewer points in 12 of those wins) and 569 points in 21 losses dating back to '97.

Including playoffs, the Lions have forced 35 turnovers in 16 wins, 20 takeaways in 21 losses dating back to '97.

They have allowed four or more sacks in four straight games.

The Lions have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things To Look For: The Vikings' offense has gone from unstoppable to improbable in less than a year, and the reasons for the falloff are many. However, the finger pointing has begun in the Twin Cities, and Dennis Green's team better keep their heads if they expect to return to the playoffs. The Lions have returned to earth following their quick start, and their offensive line will have its problems against the Purple Gang.

Etc.:The Vikings are 37-24 vs. NFC Central rivals (including playoffs) since '92 (under head coach Dennis Green) after going 6-10 vs. divisional competition from 1990-91, however Minnesota is just 20-19 (including playoffs) in its last 39 contests vs. NFC Central rivals dating back to 1994. QB Randall Cunningham (198) needs two touchdown passes to become the 24th player in NFL history with 200 career touchdown passes. WR Cris Carter (103) needs two touchdowns to tie Don Hutson (105) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list. Carter (10,775) needs 81 yards to tie Gary Clark (10,856) for 11th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.

Since 1997 (including playoffs), the Lions are 16-21 under head coach Bobby Ross, including 11-7 vs. NFC Central rivals.