NFL Detroit Lions

Tahir Whitehead Could Be X-Factor for Detroit Lions in Week 6

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By @papreps

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Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

When the Detroit Lions travel to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, at least one member of the defense should be salivating at the continued absence of Vikings star Adrian Peterson.

Not only does middle linebacker Tahir Whitehead call all of the defensive signals for the Lions — relayed through defensive coordinator Teryl Austin via the helmet — he has a pretty solid awareness that with Peterson’s absence and playing a rookie quarterback in Terry Bridgewater, that he could be making a lot of plays.

That should suit the talented Whitehead just fine, who has evolved into a star for the Lions since stepping into the starting lineup for the injured Stephen Tulloch. Last week, in an upset loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills, Whitehead played in 99 percent of the defensive snaps. Of his fellow teammates, only fellow linebacker DeAndre Levy and safety Glover Quinn played in more snaps.

The trend should continue on Sunday against the Vikings. Bridgewater, while talented, has a limited number of reps against the more sophisticated NFL defenses. Whitehead is tough — the only player in the NFL now from the hardscrabble streets of Newark, N.J. Since Whitehead is relaying the signals, he’s in the middle of the defensive game-planning as well.  Leadership is part of his DNA, as he went on to play football at Temple and was a team captain there, graduating with a degree in criminal justice.

Now he’s about to deal out some punishment on his own to a rookie quarterback who probably does not know what is coming, and that’s why Tahir Whitehead could be the x-factor against the Vikings on Sunday.

Mike Gibson is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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