Detroit — The Detroit Lions weathered a number of injuries to key starters — including a frightening scene in the fourth quarter, when All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off and transported to a local hospital after several, motionless minutes on the turf — to top the previously undefeated Minnesota Vikings in a critical divisional matchup Sunday at Ford Field.
It was a defensive struggle much of the afternoon as the Lions (5-2) battled to figure out the Vikings’ blitz-heavy attack in the first half, but were propped up by a defense that forced three punts and intercepted a pass before the break.
The teams traded leads in the second half, with neither side able to establish more than a five-point edge.
The game paused for several minutes early in the fourth quarter while medical personnel tended to Campbell. He was eventually strapped to a spinal board and had his injured neck stabilized with a brace.
In addition to Campbell, the Lions also lost center Cade Mays (ankle), edge DJ Wonnum (concussion), safety Brian Branch (concussion) and return man Jacob Saylors (neck) to injury on Sunday afternoon.
When action resumed after the Campbell stoppage, the Vikings (6-1) turned it over on downs, but the Lions weren’t able to capitalize, punting it back to the visitors.
Getting an explosive gain into the red zone on a 51-yard pass from Kyler Murray to Jordan Addison, the Vikings took the lead with a touchdown toss to T.J. Hockenson.
But Detroit broke through with a run-heavy, seven-play touchdown drive, regaining the lead for good with 4:40 remaining.
With another defensive stand, the Lions were able to run out the clock on the victory, pulling within a game of the Vikings in the division race.
Scoring summary
First quarter
● 2:21 — Amon-Ra St. Brown extended the drive by plucking a batted pass off his shoe tops on third down. And the Lions got out of a third-and-12 hole with a 46-yard pass to Jameson Williams three snaps later.
However, Williams was flagged for taunting after the grab, pushing the Lions back 15 yards from where he was tackled. The next play, a toe-tapping St. Brown catch in the end zone was overturned by replay review.
Detroit still pushed forward, down to the 4-yard line, but Jahmyr Gibbs was stuffed for a 3-yard loss on second down and Goff misfired under duress to an open Gibbs in the right flat on the next snap, leading to a short Jake Bates field goal. LIONS 3, VIKINGS 0
Second quarter
● 14:25 — Minnesota quickly moved across midfield thanks to a pass interference infraction against DJ Reed, then into the red zone when TJ Hockenson got the better of Brian Branch on a 22-yard, third-down catch to the 16-yard line.
Roger McCreary whiffed on a second-down, checkdown pass to Aaron Jones, allowing the back to get down to the 1-yard line, where Kyler Murray found Justin Jefferson on a fade over McCreary for the go-ahead touchdown. VIKINGS 7, LIONS 3
● 0:02 — Taking a conservative, ball-control approach to end the half, the Lions were content to drive into field goal range and prevent another Vikings possession. Bates made the 37-yarder with just two seconds remaining to slice the lead to one before the break. VIKINGS 7, LIONS 6
Third quarter
● 4:40 — With one of the more creative play calls in recent memory, St. Brown lined up 15 yards before the line of scrimmage and took a backward pass on a full sprint to convert a third-and-8.
On the next play, Gibbs took a pitch up the gut, angled toward the left sideline, and ran through a tackle attempt a few yards short of the goal line for a 30-yard touchdown run.
The Lions’ two-point try failed. LIONS 12, VIKINGS 7
Fourth quarter
● 8:44 — Fueled by a 51-yard deep ball to Jordan Addison, the Vikings regained the lead on a 8-yard throw to T.J. Hockenson and a 2-point conversion toss to Addison. VIKINGS 15, LIONS 12
● 4:35 — Detroit countered with a ground-and-pound series as Gibbs and Sione Vaki combined for 64 yards for scrimmage on eight touches. That set up a 7-yard play-action touchdown toss from Goff to Williams. LIONS 19, VIKINGS 15
Turnovers
● Goff’s streak without an interception to open the season came to an end in the second quarter when Williams stumbled on his route, resulting in cornerback James Pierre securing the pick.
● Late in the first half, with the Vikings near midfield, cornerback DJ Reed undercut a throw intended for Addison, leading to the defender’s first interception of the season.
Key stats
● Goff went 18-for-25 for 176 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
● Gibbs paced the Lions with 153 yards and a touchdown on the ground, while Vaki chipped in a career-best 65 yards on 11 carries.
● Jameson Williams’ four grabs for 70 yards and a touchdown led Detroit’s pass-catchers. St. Brown, tight end Sam LaPorta and Gibbs also had multiple grabs.
● Rookie Jimmy Rolder led the Lions with five tackles (two for a loss) and his first career sack. Skyler Gill-Howard and Alim McNeill also had sacks.
Notable
● The Vikings missed a field goal on the game’s opening possession. The Lions returned the favor on the first series of the second half, when Bates clanged a 46-yard effort off the left upright.
Injuries
● Center Cade Mays came up hobbling with an ankle injury during a third down pass play in the second quarter. He was carted to the locker room after the series.
● Running back and return man Jacob Saylors aggravated a pre-existing neck injury while returning a kickoff in the first half.
● DJ Wonnum and Brian Branch both exited to be evaluated for concussions after a friendly-fire collision that was initiated by the safety. Wonnum stayed down for multiple minutes while being tended to the training staff before he was carted back to the locker room.
At the half, both players were downgraded to out.
● Jack Campbell lay face down and motionless after making a tackle in the fourth quarter. He required medical attention for several minutes, eventually being immobilized on a spinal board with a neck brace and being carted off.
● On the same play where Campbell was hurt, Jimmy Rolder suffered a hamstring injury and was listed as questionable to return.
Inactives
Detroit made the following players inactive for the contest: Tight end Jackson Meeks, safety Bishop FItzgerald, center Seth McLaughlin, defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo and edge Ahmed Hassanein.
All five were healthy scratches.
Next game
The Lions head out the road to play the rebuilding Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m.
Prayers for Jack
Gutty wind by the Leo's. Penei seemed to have a very snake bit game. By far the best I have felt about Vaki, though didn't like him taking a taunting penalty. After Vaki's penalty, Jamo should have been aware that the refs were making taunting a point of focus, and his penalty was quite a bit more egregious than Vaki's.
Still have a sick feeling in my stomach after seeing Jake Campbell motionless on the field... Huge prayers for him and his short and long-term health.
Kind of glad we played against Brisett for the Cardinals. Gardner Minshew looked like an HOF'r today!