Five things the Lions (2-0) must do to beat the Vikings (0-2) on Sunday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis:

1. Run the ball. With a healthy Jahvid Best the run game has been efficient in the first two games. While the Lions rely more on the pass, they need the Best to continue to play well along with Jerome Harrison, Maurice Morris and Keiland Williams.

2. Get the ball to Calvin. It’s no coincidence that Matthew Stafford is finding ways to get the ball to Calvin and the Lions are 2-0. Not much doubt that the Stafford-Calvin connection is strong and growing stronger each week.

3. Get early start and take the crowd out as much as possible. The Metrodome is loud, the fans are close, the horn is annoying and it all makes it a tough place to play for any opponent. One way to silence the Vikings’ fanatics is to jump out to a good start. It’s always important to start strong, even moreso in this situation.

4. Stay aggressive on offense and defense. Not only does the philosophy make the Lions a fun team to watch, but the aggressiveness on both sides of the ball makes them tough to play against.

5. Don’t let up, keep coming in waves. Coach Jim Schwartz seemed offended and did not agree that the Lions had run up the score 48-3 against the Chiefs on Sunday. What’s a comfortable winning margin in the NFL? There really isn’t one because the tide can turn at any moment.

Prediction: Lions 31, Vikings 17.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword "Lions" to 22700.)