About this matchup: The key matchup in the game will be the Vikings cornerbacks trying to stop the fade route. The only way Jimmy Hitchcock and Kenny Wright can stop it is to force Lions receivers Herman Moore and Germane Crowell hard down inside, so they can't work the deep sideline. This will disrupt the Lions' timing.

Three keys for the Lions:
1. The Lions must commit to running the ball at the small Vikings defensive line.

2. The Lions must challenge a suspect Vikings secondary against the pass.

3. They must try to confuse Vikings quarterback Jeff George with different looks.

Three keys for the Vikings:
1. The Minnesota defense cannot allow big plays. The Vikings must keep the Lions receivers in front of their coverage.

2. The offense must use many different motions and formations, so the Lions can't find Randy Moss in a stationary position.

3. The Vikings must win the special-teams battle.