The Minnesota Vikings played at home this weekend looking to keep their undefeated streak alive and secure a lead as the first-place team in the NFC North division against the Detroit Lions in the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. This was an electrifying game in an electrifying atmosphere, as Detroit took the Vikings to the final seconds and won 31-29 with a game-winning field goal by Jake Bates to end the Vikings’ undefeated streak and tie Minnesota for first place in the NFC North. Now, let us take a look at what went right in this game. And what went wrong in this game for both teams?
Minnesota Vikings Offense: What Went Right & What Went Wrong?
The Minnesota Vikings opened the game red hot, forcing a quick punt by the Lions who tried to fake it but the Vikings’ defense was all over that. The Vikings quickly scored after and added another field goal to finish the first quarter with a 10-0 lead, which isn’t surprising considering Minnesota has outscored opponents 58-3 in first quarters this season. Then after the first quarter, the Vikings fell apart allowing a touchdown early followed by multiple unclean sloppy possessions.
The offense tried to keep up but ultimately fell short due to too many mistakes and miscommunications. Sam Darnold finished 22 of 27 passing for 259 yards with one touchdown, the pick, and a passer rating of 103.5, not a bad day, but one that could have been better that’s for sure. Aaron Jones got the Vikings off to a great start scoring the first touchdown of the game, a 34-yard touchdown run on Minnesota’s second offensive play of the game.
Jones had been on the injury report with a hamstring injury but had heavy involvement in the attack as a runner and receiver. He finished with 93 yards on 14 carries and added three catches for 23 yards. Another player who helped the Vikings put up points was rookie kicker Will Reichard who continued his impressive season. Reichard was good from 57, 42, and 48 yards and added two extra points. He is 12-for-12 on field goals with four from 50 yards plus.
Detroit Lions Offense: What Went Right & What Went Wrong?
Jared Goff continues his red-hot play, completing 22-25 passes for 28 yards with two touchdowns and a passer rating of 140.0. Goff’s day included a 35-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown to extend the second-quarter lead and a 21-yarder to Kalif Raymond in the third quarter for a 28-17 lead. Gibbs also had himself a day, rushing 15 times for 116 yards and two touchdowns of 45 yards and 8 yards in the second quarter. Minnesota’s defense had only allowed one rushing touchdown and a long run of 22 yards through the first five games of the season.
But somehow Sunday the Vikings just couldn’t figure out how to stop the run, and how to stop Goff from getting big chunks of yards through the air. The biggest thing in this game mentioned before was the kicking battle between Will Reichard and Jake Bates. Will Reichard did his thing for the Vikings but Jake Bates was perfect, Bates is a perfect 10-for-10 on the season, including the 44-yard game-winner on Sunday with 15 seconds left in the game.
Detroit takes this game and secured a tie for first with the Vikings, now Detroit goes on to face Tennessee next Sunday, October 27th and the Vikings go to L.A. to face off against the Los Angeles Rams to try and get back on the winning side. To stay up to date on everything going on around the NFL go to GridIronHeroics.com and follow me on X(Twitter)@Crain_Sports1.