The Minnesota Vikings were disappointed with the results of Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions. They suffered their first season loss in a close game with a final score of 31-29.
Recap of Sunday Afternoon’s Game
The Vikings got off to a hot start against the Detroit Lions. After one quarter of play, they led 10-0. on a 34-yard touchdown run by Aaron Jones. The defense dominated the first quarter and only gave up 16 yards of total offense to the Lions. They forced a turnover on downs when Detroit attempted a fake punt but failed. The two other drives were three-and-outs that led to punts.
It was all going the Vikings’ way until the Lions’ fourth offensive possession in the first half. Detroit finally gained some rhythm on offense at that point, and they were able to open a lane for Jahmyr Gibbs to gash the Vikings’ defense for a 45-yard touchdown run. The game was 10-7, but the momentum shifted to the Lions’ side. The next drive for the Vikings’ offense ended with an illegal formation penalty that ultimately forced them to punt.
Detroit turned that punt into another TD drive as they went down the field 83 yards in 5 plays. This drive was capped off with a deep pass from Jared Goff to Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Vikings moved the ball with a couple of big plays from Sam Darnold to Justin Jefferson and Jones for 15 and 12 yards, respectively. This drive ended when Brian Branch of the Lions made a great play to get an INT on a Darnold pass intended for Jordan Addison.
The Lions turned this INT into another touchdown as they went 72 yards down the field on nine plays. This drive was capped off with an eight-yard TD run by Jahmyr Gibbs for his second score of the game. The Vikings got the ball for their last drive of the half, but their time ran out before they could put any more points on the board. After a hot start, the Vikings found themselves down 21-10 heading into the locker room at halftime.
2nd Half: Teams Trade Body Blows Until Lions Kicker Seals the Win
Both teams scored touchdowns on their first offensive drives of the second half, the Vikings’ score coming on a 25-yard Jefferson touchdown reception. On their second drive of the second half, the Vikings made their way down the field for a field goal. The Vikings’ defense came up big, forcing the Lions to punt, and the Vikings’ offense got another field goal. The Purple defense came up big when David Montgomery fumbled the ball, and Ivan Pace Jr. scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown.
Both offenses were forced to punt on their next drives, and then Lions’ kicker Jake Bates made a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left on the game clock. Sam Darnold completed a 20-yard pass to Jalen Nailor in the middle of the field. Then the Vikings get an illegal formation call on Christian Darrisaw for not being in the right spot when Darnold snapped the ball to spike it.
The Vikings were able to spike the ball with 1 second left on the game clock. However, on the game’s last play, Darnold was unable to find anybody, and he was sacked for a six-yard loss as the final gun sounded.
No Reason for Alarm for Vikings’ Fans
As a lifelong Vikings fan, I was disappointed to see them get their first loss of the season. But then again, having that first loss out of the way is kind of a relief now. It was also good to see the Vikings return from their first major deficit of the season to reclaim the lead.
This Vikings’ offense is still baffling at times because it looks unstoppable at one point and cannot gain a yard the next drive. Kevin O’Connell is going to get these guys moving in the right direction. A couple more positives are that OL Dalton Risner and TE TJ Hockenson appear very close to returning to game action.
So, while it was disheartening to see the Vikings give up TDs on four consecutive drives against the Lions, they also had some major stops in today’s game. This Lions’ team is on an upward trajectory as things start to gel for them on both sides of the ball.
Vikings K Will Reichard continued his excellence on the season, making three of three field goal attempts and two XPs. That means he is nine for nine on field goal attempts and 16 of 16 on extra point attempts. Overall, this Vikings team has much to be proud of and look forward to. They are 5-1 on the season and appear to have one of the best combos of offense, defense, and special Teams in the NFL today.
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