After facing off against two NFC East opponents over their first couple of weeks of the season; the Detroit Lions on Sunday found themselves in what was their biggest matchup thus far this season. Not only were the Minnesota Vikings a divisional foe, but they were also the young Lions’ first test outside of Ford Field and were fresh off of an embarrassing Monday night loss at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles. Heading into Sunday’s contest, Detroit knew they had a few positives going in their favor, including outstanding offensive line play, a steady hand at QB, and a rushing attack that had been unstoppable to the tune of 7.5 yards per carry, and three runs of 50 yards or more.
For the second straight game, Detroit started off fast just to fade and allow their opponents to gain footing and establish themselves in the contest going into the half. Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (Notorious Lion Slayer) was once again one of the prime suspects in the undoing of a Lion defensive front. He turned 17 carries into 96 yards, including big-time runs. His numbers may go unnoticed on most days, but in an outing that took on the feeling more of a rock fight over an air assault, those numbers contribute to late surges.
The Lions’ rush attack was once again solid with 139 yards on the ground, but with ONE glaring difference. Minnesota iced the splash plays, and defensively as a unit, they tackled very well, led by LBs Jordan Hicks and Eric Kendricks, who combined for 25 tackles. Detroit’s inability to really get the same juice between the 20’s that they had in prior weeks was primarily due to the health of RB D’Andre Swift, who suffered a shoulder sprain and re-aggravated a prior ankle injury in Sunday’s game. Without the threat of the big play, the Lions’ run game struggled to get those tough yards they needed down the stretch, as it has shown so far this season and in this loss.
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A 14-0 Lions lead quickly evaporated mid-2nd quarter, as we witnessed the offense go through another first-half swoon. Their young defense is going to give up points, but it barely has a leg to stand on if its offense has eight empty possessions, encompassing turning it over on downs twice. Those empty possessions became severe, especially late in the 4th quarter when Detroit literally handed the Vikings the ball where they stood for their final three possessions.
The biggest controversy from those three drives occurred on what would prove to be Detroit’s fate-sealing final possession. Head Coach Dan Campbell elected to kick a 54-yard field goal attempt instead of going for it on 4th down or punting and pinning the Vikings back inside possibly their own 15 with under 1:10 remaining in regulation. Kicker Austin Seibert missed wide right which gave Minnesota the ball at their own 44-yard line with exactly 1:10 left needing only a field goal to tie Detroit, and possibly send the game into overtime at 24-24.
Instead, there plays after the missed field goal attempt, QB Kirk Cousins found WR K.J. Osborn on a corner route from 28 yards out to put the Vikings ahead for the first, and only time of the game. The score was now 28-24 with 0:45 on the clock. The Lions gave a spirited effort and had every chance to close Minnesota out but couldn’t. The lack of defensive pressure, questionable play calling, penalties, and leaving points on the field with missed field goals are an elixir for a heartbreaking loss packed full of “what ifs.”
Inside the Numbers
Vikings
- Scored final two TDs of both halves
- Justin Jefferson: 3 catches 14 yards
- 0/2 on field goals
- 30 1st Downs
Lions
- 3/16 on 3rd Down (18.8%)
- 4/6 on 4th Down (66.7%)
- 1/3 on field goals
- Longest rush: 13 yards
- 7 Penalties for 59 yards
- Final 5 Possessions: Punt, Punt, Turnover on Downs, Missed FG, Interception
