Vikings at Lions

1 p.m. Sunday, Fox-TV; WXYT-AM (97.1)

Records: Lions 5-10; Vikings 6-9

Key matchup: Lions defense against Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. In the first match-up this season, Peterson busted loose for long yardage and finished with 160 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

History: Vikings have won six straight against Lions, including 24-10 win at the Metrodome on Sept. 26. ... Lions have beat Vikings just one time in eight tries at Ford Field. ... Last time Vikings played at Ford Field (Dec. 13) they were the home team and lost to the N.Y. Giants after the game was moved from Minneapolis due to the collapse of the Metrodome roof due to too much snow. ... This will be 99th time the two teams have met with Vikings holding 30-66-2 edge. ... Last time Lions beat Vikings was on Sept. 16, 2007, with a 20-17 overtime win at Ford Field.

Injury report: Lions -- CB Chris Houston (shoulder) is doubtful and WR Calvin Johnson (ankle) is questionable. RB Jahvid Best (toe), DE Lawrence Jackson (groin) and QB Drew Stanton (left shoulder) are probable. LB Landon Johnson (concussion) is out (IR).

Vikings -- S Madieu Williams (concussion) is out; QB Brett Favre (concussion/neck/right shoulder), S Tyrell Johnson (knee) and WR Sidney Rice (concussion) are doubtful; CB Asher Allen (abdomen), LB Erin Henderson (concussion) and FB Naufahu Tahi (ankle) are questionable; RB Adrian Peterson (knee) is probable.

Quote of the week: Gunther Cunningham on Ndamukong Suh: “The Pro Bowl selection – how could you not pick him in the Pro Bowl? I said it a lot of times and if people challenge that statement, so be it. But come into my office and watch him. Watch him with me and I’ll show you. I’ve never seen anything like this and a lot of people want to compare him. There’s no comparison.’’

ALLEN PARK -- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre failed one concussion test but will take another today or Friday to see if he’ll be cleared to play the Lions on Sunday at Ford Field.

“We’d love to see him play, there’s no question about that,’’ Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said in a conference call this morning. “He’s a great player and he’s helped us tremendously. We’ll have to see what happens.’’

Frazier said it will be determined today when Favre will take his next concussion test. The Vikings coach said he could take a test as late as Saturday and still be cleared to play.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said on Wednesday the Lions are preparing for both Favre and Joe Webb who started on Tuesday night at Philadelphia.

The 41-year-old Favre suffered a concussion two weeks ago on the frozen field of the University of Minnesota stadium where the Vikings were forced to play after the roof of the Metrodome collapsed.

If he plays it could be the final NFL game for Favre who holds the NFL record in every significant passing category including 508 touchdown passes and 71,838 career passing yards.

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After Sunday’s win at Miami the Lions flew home, the players had Monday off and the coaching staff started to make plans to play the Vikings on Sunday at Ford Field in the season finale.

So it would appear that the Lions (5-10) have a clear advantage over the Vikings (5-9) whose game at Philadelphia was delayed until Tuesday night because of the East Coast blizzard.

You might think that, but Jim Schwartz sees it a little differently.

“There’s a lot of teams that play (with only) four days (in-between games). We play Thanksgiving every year on four days, so it’s not a situation you can’t get ready for. I think both teams are familiar with each other. If anything, you can argue that it would favor them a little bit because we would have less time to prepare for their quarterback situation, whatever it is. We really won’t know as we move on until much later in the week,’’ Schwartz said.

On Monday the Lions started with their plan against the Vikings, but usually they would have Sunday’s game film to aid them. But the quarterback is one of the big questions for the Vikings. Brett Favre has a concussion and is not expected to play Tuesday night. Instead Joe Webb could get the nod.

”It doesn’t do a lot of good to look at Tarvaris Jackson – he’s on injured reserve. Whether Brett Favre plays or not, whether it’s Webb, Patrick Ramsay – all those things are question marks and I think, from a preparation standpoint, in a strange sort of way it may actually favor them,’’ Schwartz said.

“But from a physical standpoint, it should favor us. They’re playing on Tuesday; they’ll be on a short week and also travel here, so I think those things do work in our advantage,’’ the coach added.

The Vikings are coming off a 21-3 loss to the Giants at Ford Field on Dec. 14 and a 40-14 smacking by the Bears on Dec. 20. Both games were delayed because of snow which makes it three weeks in a row of snow-delayed games for the Vikings.

Schwartz can spin it anyway he wants. The Lions will be rested, ready and in good spirits because they have a chance to win four straight to end the season at 6-10. The Vikings, distracted for most of the season by Favre, will be snow-weary and likely coming off three straight losses.

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DETROIT -- It was a historic moment at Ford Field tonight when Vikings quarterback Brett Favre did not start Monday night, breaking his string of 297 straight starts dating back to Sept. 27, 1992.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz, a Baltimore native, is well aware of sports streaks such as one involving Cal Ripken.

“Football is a completely different sport, playing the quarterback position you have a ... everybody kids them because they wear red shirts on practice days but they may as well have a red shirt on Sunday as far as being a target because everybody is going to go after them,’’ Schwartz said.

Favre was at Ford Field, but could not play because of a sprain on his throwing shoulder. It is unknown if he’ll be back for the final three games of the season.

“It’s a tough physical position to play and you’re never in the poistion -- where you’re the one who is delivering. Everybody talks about being the hammer or the nail, quarterback are very rarely in a position to be a nail,’’ Schwartz added. “Sometimes it takes a lot of self-sacrifice and courage to stand and make a play you need to do for your offense, for your team when you know you’re going to take a hit.’’

Schwartz said he’d been around a lot of tough quarterbacks including Steve McNair.

“It hasn’t been that he’s been healthy that entire streak, it’s that he’s been able to play with the injuries that he’s had. That speaks to his toughness, his body, his ability to get out there and his longevity,’’ Schwartz said.

“The other thing, you don’t start 297 if you’re not a really good player,’’ Schwartz said. “There’s a reason he’s started all those it’s because he’s really good.’’

One of the best.

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Between the draft acquisition of Ndamukong Suh and the free agent signing of Kyle Vanden Bosch, the trade for defensive tackle Corey Williams is sometimes overlooked.

It shouldn’t be. He’s a huge reason why the Lions defensive line is the strength of the team.

Williams made a huge interception early in the 24-10 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. He couldn’t have been happier that it was a ball thrown by Brett Favre.

Williams and Favre have been friends since they played together at Green Bay.

They chatted on Sunday before and after the game.

After Williams intercepted that Favre pass in the first quarter, Favre had a few words for his buddy. He told him he snagged a good one and joked that he didn’t think Williams had it in him.

Williams returned the ball 27 yards, but was disappointed he didn’t score on the play. But the Lions did take advantage and scored a touchdown three plays later.

“I wish I could have gone in there, but I didn’t. (It was) a good thing the offense got the ball and they punched it in. I think the turnaround got our momentum going,’’ Williams said.

Too bad it didn’t last.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

MINNEAPOLIS -- Let me say that perhaps my brain has frozen after four days of being hopped up on allergy medication.

But I predict the Lions will beat the Vikings on Sunday.

Here’s how it looks:

-- In his 20-year NFL career Brett Favre has never lost a home game to the Lions.

-- Favre is off to a rough start with just one touchdown pass against four interceptions in the first two games.

-- The Vikings have an 0-2 start which means they’re going to be more hungry than usual .

-- Detroit has not won at Minnesota since 1997.

-- The Vikings are 11-point favorites.

Really it doesn’t sound so promising for the 0-2 Lions. Except that they are hungry too. They are thisclose to being 2-0. Going in an 0-3 hole is not what this bunch needs.

I expect Jahvid Best to have another good day now that he’s got the nerves out of the way.

Shaun Hill has been just fine. He is totally prepared and knows something bout the Metrodome as a former Viking.

The Lions’ defensive line has been stellar with 10 sacks and you know they will get to Favre. Ndamukong Suh is playing like a veteran, Kyle Vanden Bosch is a monster.

If linebacker DeAndre Levy plays, he’ll help strengthen the back seven. He was listed as questionable on the injury report and is looking for his first game action this season.

So I say, Lions 27, Vikings 17.

And pass the Zyrtec.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

Vikings quarterback Brett Favre had limited practice on Thursday due to an injuries to his ankle and right elbow.

If he is healthy on Sunday when the Lions play at Minnesota, he could extend his career streak of winning every home game ever played against the Detroit Lions. If those injuries impede Favre he still has a chance to win, but obviously it would be good news for the Lions.

Favre is 25-9 in his career against Detroit. The last loss to the Lions was on Sept. 11, 2005, the regular season opener for both teams. Green Bay lost that one 17-3. Seven of Favre’s losses to the Lions happened at the Silverdome.

The Lions’ defense has given up too many big plays in the two losses to open the season. Favre is a big-play kind of guy. For the Lions to win there can be no miscommunication, no mistakes.

In 1993, Favre’s first full season as a starter, he led Green Bay to a come-from-behind victory over Lions in the Wild Card playoffs. He threw for three touchdowns including a 40-yard bomb to Sterling Sharpe with 55 seconds left. It seems like he’s never stopped hurting the Lions.

The Vikings are also 0-2 and Favre doesn’t have the receivers he had last season. Sunday will be the Lions’ chance to not only win on the road, but win against a future Hall of Famer who has always played well against them.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

ALLEN PARK -- Even though Brett Favre arrived late at Minnesota Vikings’ training camp, coach Brad Childress is not using that as an excuse for the Vikings’ 0-2 start.

“You can’t throw everything at his feet,’’ Childress said in a conference call today (Wednesday).

The Lions (0-2) play at Minnesota on Sunday. Childress is 7-1 against the Lions.

The 40-year-old quarterback has thrown one touchdown pass and four interceptions in the first two games, losses to New Orleans and Miami.

In the 2009 season Favre went 10 straight games without an interception, with the Vikings going 9-1 in that stretch. It was a team record surpassing Daunte Culpepper’s eight straight without an interception in 2004.

In Favre’s career he’s thrown 57 touchdowns and been intercepted 37 times in 34 games against the Lions.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

How the Lions can beat the Vikings on Sunday:

-- Get the ball to Calvin Johnson.

-- But don’t forget Jahvid Best.

-- Pressure Brett Favre early and often.

-- Pay no attention to the wacko Vikings fans and the ultra-noisy Metrodome.

-- Go to work, no miscommunication, no mistakes.

-- Just play.

Sounds like a sneaker commercial. It should be the plan for the Lions. This is a game they can win. Yes, it’s on the road, but these are not the same old Lions. This is a bunch of guys who should refuse to see the start of the season spiral down the drain. I don’t think that losing would be acceptable to the captains -- Kyle Vanden Bosch, Dominic Raiola, Matthew Stafford and Jason Hanson. Or anyone else on the roster.

(Follow me on Twitter @PaulaPasche.)

With the Lions 1,700 tickets shy of reaching a sellout for Sunday's home opener, the NFL granted a 24-hour extension on Thursday afternoon, giving the organization until 1 p.m. Friday to sell the remaining tickets or have the game blacked out on local television.

Despite the attraction of the visiting Vikings' Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson, as well as the Lions' own future franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, more than 4,000 tickets remained unsold as of Wednesday afternoon. Brisk sales cut that number more than in half by the 1 p.m. Thursday deadline (72 hours before kickoff), earning the Lions the one-day deadline extension.

The Lions, who have sold out every home opener since the 1998 season at the Silverdome, were blacked out for five of the last six home games last year. The lone exception was the Thanksgiving Day game, when the team used another extension from the NFL to reach sellout status. Until last season, the Lions had not been blacked out since moving to Ford Field in 2002.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press is reporting that twice-retired quarterback Brett Favre is “expected” to undergo surgery to release a partially-torn tendon in his right shoulder later this week. If all goes well with the surgery, the paper reports that Favre will sign with the Vikings.

Nothing totally unexpected here. Favre has had eyes for Minnesota since he was pushed out of town in Green Bay after his first retirement last summer, and the six- to eight-week timetable for recovery puts him on track to be ready by the start of training camp.

For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume Favre signs with the Vikings. If he does, in my opinion, the Lions will once again have the least desirable quarterback situation in the NFC North (for 2009, that is). Here's my rankings. Where do you stand?

1. Bears – Chicago made the bold move of trading for Jay Cutler this offseason, and the Pro Bowler stands as the division's best signal caller. He threw for 4,526 yards last year in Denver, and while those numbers likely will go down, he's the type of talent who can win any game, any where. Interceptions have been a concern in his career, but at 26 and entering his fourth year, he's still maturing.

2. Green Bay – Maybe this ranking is skewed a bit by the two times I've seen Aaron Rodgers play. In two games against the Lions last year, he threw for 636 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, and set two career marks for passer rating (117.0 and 132.2). I'd like to see Rodgers play at a high level for another season before I call him a top-10 quarterback, but the 25-year-old has that kind of potential. He played hurt part of last year, and defense, not Rodgers, wasn't the reason the Packers went from 13 to six wins last year.

3. Minnesota – Favre is closing in on his 40th birthday, but he didn't play like he was over the hill most of last season. Before things fell apart the final five weeks, Favre had 20 touchdown passes and had the Jets headed for the playoffs. His struggles were somewhat injury-related down the stretch, though he remains a chance-taking gunslinger. Beyond that, Minnesota has the most depth at the quarterback position with Tarvaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels as capable backups.

4. Detroit – Take heart, Lions fans. A year ago everyone thought Detroit had the best quarterback in the division in Jon Kitna and all that got them was an 0-16 record. The Lions are much more stable under center now, with No. 1 pick Matthew Stafford and a slimmed-down, something-to-prove Daunte Culpepper in the fold. But Culpepper didn't look good in his cameo last year, he's had turnover and injury issues throughout his career, and Stafford is the great unknown. Two years from now, he might be the best quarterback in the North, but he's got to prove it first.

The Brett Favre saga continues to churn with ESPN now reporting that x-rays of Favre's injured shoulder have been sent to Minnesota and Favre will return next season as long as he doesn't need major surgery. Can't say that comes as a big surprise to anyone who follows the NFL, but this might: The NFC North is now the best division for quarterbacks in the NFL.

Including Favre, the old black and blue division has gone glam with Jay Cutler in Chicago, Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay and No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford in Detroit. Stafford probably won't start from the get, and both Rodgers and Cutler had their struggles last year, but no other division moves the meter under center like the north – even without a singular talent like Tom Brady.

The AFC North is No. 2 in my book with Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer, Joe Flacco and Brady Quinn running their respective teams. Interestingly enough, the divisions cross over this year.

Two other Lions notes of interest. First, if you didn't see it already, running back Kevin Smith blogged earlier this week that the Lions “will definitely make the playoffs this year.” Smith is one of the best personalities in the locker room and I don't mind his confidence, but he better be ready for some Jon Kitna jokes over the next few months. His blog, if you're interested, is www.Smith34.com.

Finally, the Lions made a minor roster move today, releasing middle linebacker Chris Graham and signing another receiver, Tommy Saunders, who caught 72 passes last year for Missouri.

Update: The Lions also signed Florida State running back Antone Smith to a three-year contract. Smith, a tryout player at last week's rookie orientation, impressed coaches with his speed.

Now that Jay Cutler's trade demands are official, it's time to examine the Lions' realistic hopes of trading for Denver's disgruntled quarterback. I still think the Broncos will end up keeping him. Young arms like that are too precious to pass on for a few draft picks. But if Cutler's dealt, here, in my mind, are the five most likely landing spots for him in 2010:

1. Cleveland: I'll put the Browns No. 1 only because they have the quarterbacks to satisfy Denver's demand. If reports are true that Eric Mangini isn't thrilled with either Brady Quinn or Derek Anderson, Denver can have its pick of young signal callers in return. The Browns also have two second-round choices (the extra came from the Kellen Winslow trade) and an early first to barter with, but no third- fifth- or seventh-round selection. Next year's picks could come into play.

2. Detroit: The Lions have the picks (two firsts, a second and two thirds), but not the quarterback to land Cutler. I can't see a three-way with Cleveland happening because the Browns might want Cutler themselves. Arizona's Matt Leinart is a possibility, but he'll take a draft pick (a third, probably) to land. The Lions don't have fourth- or fifth-round choices, and they've said they want to get younger (though the signing of Grady Jackson and trades for Anthony Henry and Julian Peterson fly in the face of that) and build through the draft. Moving too many choices means once again the organization is straying from its plan. One other note here: For those who say Matt Stafford and the No. 1 pick are the trump card, I have a hard time seeing Denver unload a young quarterback who's locked up fairly cheaply for a younger, more unproven quarterback it'd have to give $35 million guaranteed to.

3. Tampa Bay: The Bucs, like the Lions, tried to make the Matt Cassel-Jay Cutler three-way happen only to see Cassel end up in Kansas City for a second-round pick. Tampa needs a quarterback and is willing to pay. The Bucs pick one spot in front of the Lions in the mid-first and third rounds (Nos. 19 and 81), and have the cap room to give Cutler the new deal he desires.

4. San Francisco: At pick No. 10, the 49ers might have the most desirable choice in the first round. The Broncos wouldn't have to pay obscene money, would still get a premium talent and could probably land their quarterback of the future in Mark Sanchez (or possibly even Stafford; especially if the Lions don't go QB at No. 1). If the 49ers, who brought Kurt Warner in for a visit, are serious about upgrading at quarterback, they have a full compliment of draft picks to work with and a compensatory choice or two coming their way that might make their regular picks easier to part with.

5. New York Jets: New coach Rex Ryan isn't tied to any of the project quarterbacks currently on New York's roster, and that demanding organization is in win-now mode. That could be a dangerous combination if Cutler-to-the-highest-bidder materializes. It's unlikely Kellen Clemens would satisfy Denver's demand for a new quarterback, but the Broncos could sign a veteran like Jeff Garcia as a stopgap. The Jets also have a valuable first-round choice at No. 17 and an interesting history with Cutler's agent, Bus Cook, who just so happens to represent the quarterback who was at the center of a similar drama last year – Brett Favre.

I talked to former Jaguars personnel executive James “Shack” Harris for literally a minute Monday morning. He said he didn't “have anything to add to the reports that are out there” about him possibly joining the Lions in a front-office capacity in the near future, but he did not dispute them, either.

About the only nugget I can add to advance the story at this point is I've been told Harris won't be in Detroit "in the next couple of days." That means next to nothing, of course. A deal does not appear to be signed and done at this stage, and even if it was he could work out of his Florida home.

My two-cent take: Harris will be Martin Mayhew's sounding board before too long and will play a prominent role in free agency and the draft, but the Lions won't have a press conference to announce his hiring until later this week at the earliest, probably after they finally confirm some of their assistant-coach hires.

• The Lions Super Bowl commercial? My wife turned my way and started laughing when she saw Jim Schwartz walk out of the tunnel, his name on the big board behind him, and half-turn his head with a look of seriousness on his face. I have no problem with the concept of the commercial, but I doubt the execution did anything to change anyone's opinion of the organization.

• As for the game itself, from James Harrison's interception return on it was one of the best Super Bowls ever. That was a fantastic finish, but the NFL, for appearance sake if nothing else, should have reviewed the Warner fumble at the end of the game. It looked like a fumble on replay, but this is the biggest game of the season. A trip under the hood wouldn't have hurt (and the Cardinals had a real chance to cash in had the call been overturned considering the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty enforced on the next play).

• Early Super Bowl favorites for next year have to be the Patriots in the AFC (with Tom Brady back) and the Giants in the NFC (with Osi Umenyiora and maybe Plaxico Burress back). I'll go slightly off the board and pick the Pats to beat the Vikings, who'll finally solve their quarterback problems this offseason (Brett Favre, maybe?). If Minnesota doesn't address its needs under center, I reserve the right to change my NFC pick, maybe to Atlanta, which should return most every key player next season but has one of the league's most difficult schedules.

I have to credit John McGrath of the Tacoma News Tribune for digging up this nugget - check out his column at thenewstribune.com for a full recap - but in another amazing bit of symmetry (to follow up on my earlier blog entry today) the Lions appear destined to draft Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford with the No. 1 overall pick come April. Don't worry, that's a good thing.

Why? Stafford is a product of Highland Park High in Dallas. The only other NFL quarterback the school has produced is ... Bobby Layne, purveyor of the Lions' last championship in 1957.

I'm calling it a day so I can finish my Christmas shopping before I visit the in-laws for dinner. I won't be back tomorrow, either, but here's a few leftovers from today's conference calls with Packers receiver Greg Jennings and coach Mike McCarthy.

• Jennings, who played at Western Michigan and grew up a fan of Barry Sanders, said he'd be rooting for the Lions if he wasn't playing against them this week. "I would, he said. "I don't think it's right to really root for a team to go 0-16. I don't think that any team should really go 0-16, but in this case they're going against the team that I'm on so I would have to say that they need to go 0-16."

• The Packers (5-10) are on their losing streak, having dropped five straight, but they are an NFL-best 13-1 in season finales since 1994. “It's not even about matching their intensity because we're desperate to get a win as well," Jennings said. "A lot of the games we've let slip right through our fingers in the waning moments of a game, so I would definitely say that they're not more desperate for a win than we are. ... This is definitely the finale of the season for both teams and we want to win probably more than anybody in the National Football League right now."

• McCarthy had little to say about reports early in the season that former Green Bay quarterback Brett Favre helped the Lions gameplan for the Packers days before Detroit's 48-25 September loss. "Brett Favre doesn't work here anymore," McCarthy said. "So, if he had opinions from the past those are his opinions. It doesn't factor into the Packers competing against the Detroit Lions."

• Lions running back Kevin Smith on his pursuit of 1,000 yards rushing. He's 116 yards short entering Sunday. "Who cares about the yards?" Smith said. "You think when you cut on PTI they're going to be talking about what I did productively or what Calvin (Johnson) did? No one cares about that. A thousand yards on an 0-16 team is equivalent to nothing in my eyes. Who cares if you don't win a game?"

• Lions cornerback Travis Fisher worked out with trainers today but said he doesn't know if he'll be able to play Sunday. I'd call him doubtful right now. Culpepper, Chuck Darby, Corey Smith and Dewayne White also sat out practice Wednesday. Johnson was limited by his bruised knee.