The Minnesota Vikings put up a whimper of a fight against the Detroit Lions in the final game of the regular season. The final score was 31-9 in favor of the Lions. The Vikings’ offense did not score any touchdowns, while the Lions Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs found paydirt four times in the game.
Both Opening Drives End With Punts
The Vikings gave up a first down to Jahmyr Gibbs on a juke and stiff arm that took Blake Cashman out of the play. The Vikings’ defense ultimately got the stop and forced the Lions to punt. The Vikings got their first offensive drive going with a longer run by Aaron Jones. Sam Darnold continued to spread out the catches among his receivers. A false start and two incomplete passes stalled the Vikings drive and they were forced to punt it back to the Lions.
Gibbs Finds Endzone On Long Run
The Lions’ Jared Goff took advantage of some failed coverages by the Vikings. He notched a 23-yard completion to Amon-Ra St. Brown. Detroit chose to go for it on 4th down and were rewarded with a first down on a quick completion to Jameson Williams. Jahmyr Gibbs took it into the endzone from 25 yards out. Jake Bates was successful on the extra point attempt and the Lions led 7-0 with just under 2 minutes left in the first quarter. The first quarter ended with the Lions still leading by 7.
Lions Punt Again, Vikings Turn the Ball Over
The Lions started their third offensive drive with a false start penalty. Gibbs was laid out by Andrew Van Ginkel, then Greenard recorded a sack on Goff. The Vikings forced the Lions to punt again. Darnold had a 31-yard completion to Justin Jefferson to get the Vikings down to the 5-yard line. Unfortunately for the Vikings, they could not score and turned the ball over on downs.
Vikings Force a Turnover, Get a Field Goal
Detroit’s next drive started at their 3-yard line. The Vikings forced a turnover on a tipped pass that Ivan Pace reeled in for an INT. The Vikings were unable to get into the endzone. They had seven straight plays on offense inside of the 10-yard line but were unable to punch it in. Will Reichard barely made the 25-yard field goal and the Lions led 7-3 with 6:35 left in the second quarter.
Minnesota Scores Again
The Lions were moving the ball until they lost a challenge and chose to throw the ball on 4th-and-inches. Darnold completed an 18-yard pass to Jalen Nailor and that took the clock to the two-minute warning. The Vikings continued to struggle to run the ball before the half. Darnold was unable to find an open receiver and threw the ball away as he got hit by Josh Paschal of the Lions. The Vikings were forced to settle for another field goal attempt. Reichard nailed it as the Lions led 7-6 with 20 seconds left in the half.
Kickoff Penalty Proves Costly
Reichard kicked the ball out of bounds so the Lions took over at their 40-yard line. Jared Goff reeled off a 19-yard completion to St. Brown and an 11-yard completion to Kalif Raymond. The Lions ran the clock down to two seconds before taking a timeout. The Vikings tried to ice the kicker with a timeout but Bates was able to kick it through the uprights. Detroit went into the locker room with a 10-6 lead.
Darnold And Vikings Offense Continue To Struggle
The Vikings were struggling to move the ball until a defensive pass interference call against Brian Branch. Then Cam Akers took advantage of the Lions overrunning the play and had a 58-yard run to get the Vikings down to the 5-yard line. Darnold kept missing on his throws and the Vikings went for it on 4th and goal, and Darnold missed on a pass intended for Addison. Detroit still led 10-6 with just under 12 minutes left in the third quarter.
Minnesota Forces Another Turnover, Get Another Field Goal
The Lions forced another turnover on downs and took over at their 2-yard line. Jared Goff launched a ball from his endzone and it ended up as an INT to Harrison Smith, with Jameson Williams nowhere near the ball. Minnesota took advantage of the turnover and was able to get three more points from a Reichard field goal. Lions still led 10-9 with just under 10 minutes left in the third quarter.
Lions’ Offense Continues To Dominate, Reichard Misses Field Goal Attempt
The Lions ran a lot of clock and were able to cap off the drive with a 10-yard reception by Gibbs for his second touchdown of the game. This drive took a total of 13 plays, 70 yards, and 7:25 of game time. Detroit extended their lead to 17-9 with a successful extra point and 2:30 left in the quarter. Minnesota continued to struggle to move the ball. They settled for a 51-yard field goal attempt by Reichard, unfortunately, he missed it wide right. The Lions still led 17-9 with less than 30 seconds left in the third quarter.
Van Ginkel Almost Gets Pick Six, Gibbs Gets 2 More Touchdowns
Goff continued to spread out the completions among his receivers. Van Ginkel was very close to getting an INT that he could have taken back for a TD. Goff recovered with a 12-yard completion to Williams. Then Gibbs found the endzone for his third touchdown of the game. Detroit led 24-9 with just over 13 minutes left in the game. Minnesota struggled to move the ball until a defensive holding call on Alex Anzalone gifted them a fourth down.
Darnold got sacked and the Vikings chose to punt again. Gibbs continued to tear up Minnesota’s defense with a 47-yard run. Gibbs finished the drive with a 4-yard TD run, for his 4th TD of the game. Detroit led 31-9 with just over five minutes left in the game.
Final Thoughts
This loss dropped Minnesota to the No. 5 seed in the NFC. The Vikings will travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams next Monday in the NFC Wild Card Playoffs. Minnesota has a week to lick their wounds and turn focus on a critical playoff run.
