What a game. A quality win. So glad we finally beat the darn Lions! The difference in our J.J. McCarthy-led offense and the Carson Wentz-led offense over the past five games is just stunning — deep dark moonless night vs. bright sunny day — so refreshing to see. Both the offensive and defensive play improved greatly over our most recent games. Both squads came ready to compete, that is for sure. Red zone TDs, third-down conversions, and accurate passing on offense. Run defense, pressure and five sacks on Jared Goff, forcing multiple Lions three-and-outs on defense. Wow. I just wish we could cover Sam LaPorta on fourth downs? Below are my 3 Ups and 3 Downs for the game:
1. Great kickoff return by Myles Price. And no dumb special teams penalty. Followed by the J.J.-led-answering TD drive! The third-and-10 conversion to beat the Lions blitz and the perfect throw to Justin Jefferson for the score. What a difference with J.J. back.
2. The Vikings defense at the end of the half. Normally we would allow any team to score at least a FG to tie us after the turnover with 45 seconds left before half. It was so fun to see our defense get the stop after what looked like a joint possession to Jalen Nailor but was ruled interception and preserve our first half lead.
3. Fourth quarter FG block and return by Isaiah Rodgers was huge. Too bad we couldn't put in the end zone.
4. Bonus coverage fourth UP: The first down throw in the fourth quarter to Nailor for the win!
1. On the opening Lions drive it was fourth-and-4, and we give up a 40-yard TD? LaPorta just chewed up the Vikings defense on that possession? Just more examples defensive weakness on third/fourth downs. Hint for Vikings defense: Cover LaPorta.
2. I am so tired of our dumb and undisciplined special teams penalties. First, Felton for holding on a punt that is fair caught by Price. Then Tavierre Thomas with back-to-back special teams penalties with holding again on a kickoff return that takes a TD return off the board, followed by 15 yards for running and staying out of bounds on punt coverage? This is training camp stuff. But it keeps happening again and again? So disappointing that this an ongoing problem game after game after game. I wonder when and if our special teams coverage will ever stop aiding our opponents?
3. Poor clock management on the drive after the FG block. We should have had the clock at about 2-minute warning before going up by 10 points?
So glad we pulled it out. What a great game and game plan and execution by the Vikings! Looking forward to the Ravens already.
Respectfully,
— Jeff Ludwig
Good things happen when special teams can immediately shift the momentum that Detroit's offense seized on the opening drive and set up Minnesota's offense for a quick answer.
Good things also happen when the offense is able to score early multiple times and provide the defense the higher ground of playing with a lead.
I would start by pointing to the full returns of Darrisaw and O'Neill, as well as Minnesota not being ravaged by injuries along the line during the game as a key contributor.
With one handoff to Aaron Jones, Sr., the Vikings passed their first-half rushing total at the Chargers in Week 8 (11 yards to 10). Jones also opened Minnesota's second possession with a 14-yard run.
McCarthy's mobility offered something that defenses didn't have to account for with Wentz doing his best to pinch hit for five games.
McCarthy (or maybe Kevin O'Connell) will be the first to tell you there's plenty of room for growth and improvement on some of the finer points and executions, but the operation seemed much smoother than in Weeks 1 and 2, and some of the same swagger on display at the Bears was back in the mix. There was no hint of shrinking in big moments.
We'll hear from Brian Flores on Tuesday, with emphasis on a little bit of recap plus a look ahead to the challenge Baltimore offers, but that was a virtuoso performance after a disappointing outing in L.A.
That catch by Jefferson was elite. So was the placement of the football for the score and the game-sealer to Nailor.