Detroit — The Detroit Lions didn’t look rested coming off their bye; they looked out of sorts.
After driving for a touchdown on the game’s opening possession, the Lions coughed up the early edge less than three minutes later and never led again in a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday.
The Lions dropped to 5-3 with the loss, while the Vikings moved to 4-4 on the year.
Lions quarterback Jared Goff was under heavy duress much of the afternoon, getting sacked a season-high five times. Even when he wasn’t pressured, the QB’s accuracy seemed affected, resulting in a number of misfires throughout the afternoon contest.
Detroit’s defense also generated a healthy amount of pocket pressure, but Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy made more plays, including a 31-yard completion on third-and-9 to set up a go-ahead touchdown in the first quarter, and a 9-yard scoring scramble, also on third down, that extended the visitors’ lead to 10 in the third quarter.
Detroit’s offense, meanwhile, went ice cold after tying the game at 14 early in the second quarter, mustering just 21 yards and zero first downs with their next four possessions, including a lost fumble on the fourth series in that sequence. The Vikings translated that takeaway into McCarthy’s touchdown run.
Down seven with less than seven minutes remaining, the Lions blew a trip into the red zone with a false start penalty and a sack before Jake Bates’ field goal try was blocked and returned to Detroit’s 26-yard line, allowing Minnesota to kick a field goal and push the lead back to double-digits with 3:33 remaining.
The Lions sliced the lead back to three with a quick-strike drive that was capped by a long touchdown toss to Jameson Williams, but the defense was unable to get a stop on the Vikings’ ensuing possession.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 12:37 — Coming off his lowest output of the season, the Lions fed Sam LaPorta the first two throws of the opening drive for gains of 15 and 11 yards. Then, facing fourth-and-four just across midfield, Goff found his tight end open down the middle. LaPorta fought through multiple tackle attempts and got a little help with a push from teammate Kalif Raymond to power across the goal line for a 40-yard touchdown. LIONS 7, VIKINGS 0
● 10:17 — Sparked by a 61-yard kickoff return, the Vikings responded with a five-play touchdown drive. Converting a third-and-9 with a well-blocked screen to running back Aaron Jones set up a one-handed touchdown grab for Justin Jeffereson on a back-shoulder ball over the coverage of Amik Robertson. LIONS 7, VIKINGS 7
● 4:08 — After Detroit went three-and-out, Minnesota’s offense headed back to work, converting another third-and-long with a 31-yard deep shot to receiver Jordan Addison, immediately followed by a 7-yard touchdown toss to tight end T.J. Hockenson to grab an early lead. VIKINGS 14, LIONS 7
Second quarter
● 9:39 — Following a desperately needed three-and-out stop by the defense, resulting in excellent starting field position, the Lions slogged 35 yards in nine plays for a tying score. David Montgomery plowed into the end zone from 2 yards out on fourth down to cap the drive. LIONS 14, VIKINGS 14
● 4:42 — The Vikings regained the lead with an eight-play drive that ended with a 50-yard field goal. A 15-yard unnecessary roughness infraction against Aidan Hutchinson, for a leg whip, pushed the Vikings into field goal range. A Jack Campbell sack on third down in the red zone limited the damage to three points. VIKINGS 17, LIONS 14
Third quarter
● 6:04 — On third-and-8 from the 9-yard line, the Lions blanketed Minnesota’s receivers, forcing McCarthy to scramble. Linebacker Alex Anzalone had a shot in the open field, but whiffed, resulting in a rushing TD for the quarterback. VIKINGS 24, LIONS 14
● 0:11 — Another clunky drive that started and ended with a sack, and also saw the Lions penalized three times, somehow still resulted in three points. Jameson Williams was key, providing a pair of grabs for 31 yards. VIKINGS 24, LIONS 17
Fourth quarter
● 3:33 — Following a blocked field goal, which was returned into Detroit territory, the Vikings stalled in the red zone and settled for a Will Reichard chip shot. VIKINGS 27, LIONS 17
● 1:55 — Operating with necessary urgency, the Lions drove 69 yards in five plays. St. Brown caught three passes for 31 yards to open the possession before Goff connected with Jameson Williams for a 37-yard score on a deep ball down the left sideline. VIKINGS 27, LIONS 24
Turnovers
● In the closing minute of the first half, with the Vikings looking to extend their narrow lead, McCarthy’s pass came in behind receiver Jalen Nailor and was ripped from the receiver by Terrion Arnold. It was the cornerback’s first career interception.
● After getting the corner on a pitch to seemingly convert a third-and-long, Montgomery had the ball punched out by Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, resulting in a turnover after Minnesota recovered the fumble at Detroit’s 35-yard line.
Key stats
● Goff completed 25-of-37 for 284 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.
● Montgomery paced the backfield with 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
● St. Brown and LaPorta both finished with 97 receiving yards.
● Jack Campbell finished with nine tackles and a sack. Derrick Barnes, Tyler Lacy and Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams (half) and Al-Quadian Muhammad (half) also had sacks.
Injuries
● Linebacker Ty Summers briefly exited with a thumb injury, returning to action with his right hand in a cast.
● Taylor Decker exited in the third quarter with a knee injury after getting rolled up on from behind by Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. He returned the next series.
● Guard Christian Mahogany had to be carted off in the fourth quarter after his leg violently whipped into a Vikings defender. He was ruled out several minutes later.
Notable
● Detroit challenged a diving third-down catch by Jefferson early in the third quarter that would have given the Vikings a fresh set of downs in field-goal range. After replay review, the call was overturned, leading to a punt.
● After going 0-for-21 on such plays this season, the Lions finally converted their first third down needing 10 or more yards when Williams spun out of a tackle for an 18-yard pickup on third-and-14 in the third quarter.
● The Vikings had a kickoff return for a touchdown nullified by a holding call in the closing minute of the third quarter.
● Vikings blocked a Jake Bates field goal attempt in the fourth quarter when long snapper Hogan Hatten was overwhelmed at the line of scrimmage by defensive lineman Levi Drake Rodriguez.
Inactives
The Lions made the following players inactive ahead of Sunday’s contest: Safety Kerby Joseph, running back Craig Reynolds, defensive back Erick Hallet, defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson, safety Jammie Robinson and defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo.
Joseph (knee) and Raynolds (hamstring) had been ruled out earlier in the week. The four others were healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions travel to Washington for an NFC Divisional Round rematch with the Commanders next Sunday, Nov. 9, at 4:25 p.m.
The middle of the o-line was awful. Goff had no shot
The difference in the quality of play between the Vikings and Lions, made it clear to me the Lions were simply out coached in every phase of the game! The Vikings came in ready to play and the Lions simply put in an appearance--this was a coaching failure!!!