Lions quarterback Jared Goff targeted Wilson, the 31-year-old veteran, on a first-down throw to running back David Montgomery that fell incomplete. Goff went back to Montgomery on a quick swing pass that Wilson stalled with a big hit that ended in a tackle for a loss.
Those two plays, as the Vikings led 17-14, preceded Detroit handing off to Montgomery on third and long deep in its own territory. Linebacker Blake Cashman‘s left fist punched the ball free from Montgomery, generating the Vikings’ only takeaway that eventually led to quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s 9-yard touchdown run and a 24-14 lead.
Shannon Sisson, Wilson’s mother, cheered on Wilson with 23 relatives and friends for his eighth homecoming to Detroit. Wilson graduated high school in Redford, Mich., a Detroit suburb about 15 miles west of Ford Field.
“They always show love,” Wilson said. “My mom was probably out there screaming somewhere.”
Wilson had three tackles for losses, including two sacks, for a hyperaggressive Vikings defense that shut down a vaunted Lions run game and flustered Goff for key stretches.
Defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ group still gave up big plays, including a 40-yard touchdown to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta on fourth down on the opening drive, but edge rusher Jonathan Greenard said the defense “needed” that performance after tough losses to the Chargers and Eagles.
“Just to know the stuff we do still works,” Greenard said. “Teams have adjustments and you get down in the dumps, feeling like you ain’t have the right plan and all that, but we just have to trust and believe it. We didn’t play our best game in general, but overall I think we put some good stuff on film.”