Detroit Lions photo Jeff Nguyen
The Minnesota Vikings came into a roaring Ford Field on Sunday afternoon as underdogs and left as victors, downing the less-than-inspirational Detroit Lions 27–24 in what Coach Dan Campbell described as “probably one of the worst games we've played in a really long time.”
The Lions started the game strong with an impressive opening drive that resulted in a touchdown, but after that, they often looked lost and unprepared to face an aggressive Vikings team.
They were listless at times, undisciplined, and hurt by too many careless penalties.
“We did everything we needed to do to lose that game,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said at a postgame press conference. “We made every critical error you could make at the right time to lose it. Perfect storm.”
“You don’t play well in all three phases—that falls on the head coach. That’s me. I did not have them ready coming out of a bye.”
Former University of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy returned from the injured list and played an impressive game for the Vikings. Near the end, it looked as if the Lions might pull off a come-from-behind victory, but they fell short.
The Lions’ offensive line didn’t give quarterback Jared Goff enough protection to play his best. Consequently, he was sacked five times and threw several off-target passes.
To make matters worse, Detroit Lions guard Christian Mahogany was carted off the field in the fourth quarter with a leg injury and isn’t likely to return for a long time. He could end up being out for the season.
Here’s what some sportswriters had to say about the game:
Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press:
On Sunday, Brady was in the broadcast booth at Ford Field as his latest Wolverines successor, J.J. McCarthy, got his Detroit pro debut. And if folks around here somehow thought McCarthy being injured all of last year, as well as out the last five games, would somehow mean the Lions would have an easy time with him, well, you don’t know J.J. McCarthy.
The kid who once stood against a kitchen wall in his home in La Grange Park, Illinois, just hoping he’d be tall enough to be an NFL quarterback, came out like a giant Sunday, with pinpoint passing and fearless mechanics. He shredded the Lions defense for touchdowns on his first two drives. He stood tall against the Detroit pass rush, often beat it, drew penalties on it, and, when it got to him, bounced back up and returned to business. In the third quarter, on third down, he scrambled away from the Detroit defense and ran in for a touchdown himself.
Shawn Windsor, Detroit Free Press:
They have work to do. That’s been clear for a while. The Detroit Lions know this. Knew it heading into their bye week.
Said it during their bye week. Running the ball. Stopping the run. Converting third downs. Getting third-down stops. One more of those and maybe this is a different story – a last-minute win instead of a dispiriting loss.
Still, the trends haven't been good for a few weeks, despite the winning. Not by sight and not by the numbers.
Eric Woodward, ESPN:
It had been a long time since quarterback Jared Goff experienced the Detroit Lions playing so poorly in all three phrases -- as they did in a 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday -- but he's not concerned about the offense, even after a lackluster effort at home following the bye week.
"No concern, but there's certainly an urgency of fixing things," Goff said of the offense. "And we did fix things I think from two weeks ago, but there's more to fix obviously. There's a ton to fix and a ton of things to get better at."
In its two games before the bye week, Detroit failed to reach 300 yards of offense or score 30 points against Kansas City (loss) and Tampa Bay (win). Against Minnesota, the Lions' offense did put up 305 yards but trailed most of the way as they failed to break the 30-point mark in a game marked by miscues and penalties.
Alec Lewis and Colton Pouncy, The Athletic:
The most interesting Vikings storyline was always going to be McCarthy’s return. The young quarterback injected life into Minnesota. The team had been reeling, losing two straight. McCarthy came back from a high-ankle sprain and did enough, especially in the first half, for the Vikings to pull off the upset.
McCarthy’s most important plays happened on touchdowns. He booted from the pocket on the team’s first drive and found tight end T.J. Hockenson in the back of the end zone for a score. In the second half, McCarthy evaded a stunt, scrambled to the right, and converted a touchdown run.
McCarthy wasn’t perfect. He completed just 14-of-25 passes for 143 yards. He was inaccurate in spurts, and the Vikings’ operation wasn’t always the smoothest. The Vikings had a botched play and a fumbled snap. McCarthy was helped by running back Aaron Jones, specifically, who gained 78 yards on nine carries and provided a level of early-down efficiency that the Vikings have not had.
Eva Geitheim, Sports Illustrated:
It cannot be overstated how important this game was for McCarthy and the Vikings. Minnesota came into this game on a two-game losing streak and in last place in the ever-competitive NFC North. After going 14-3 a season ago, the Vikings are already on the outside looking in at returning to the playoff this season...
Perhaps the biggest statement though came toward the end of the game when the Vikings held a three-point lead and were facing third-and-5 with under two minutes to go. With a first down, the Vikings could seal a victory over the Lions, a team that swept them just a season ago. Not only did they trust McCarthy to throw the ball, but he connected with Jalen Nailor on a back shoulder pass in tight coverage, ensuring a 27-24 upset victory.
Jeremy Reisman, Pride of Detroit:
he Detroit Lions were hoping to come out of their bye week refreshed and improved, but they looked like neither in the team’s 27-24 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
The offense, which already had some concerns about getting Jameson Williams involved and some run game efficiency, struggled until it was far too late. Special teams also had some critical breakdowns, including a big kick return allowed and a disastrous blocked field goal.
The Lions almost made a furious comeback, but it came up short, and Detroit will fall to 5-3 on the season.
Bob Wojnowski, Detroit News:
The Lions haven’t been physically manhandled like this in a while, not at home, not by a rival they’d beaten five times in a row. Minnesota’s blitzing defense mauled the Lions at the line of scrimmage and dominated more thoroughly than the score showed. The Vikings’ 27-24 victory Sunday at Ford Field will leave a mark with more injuries, and will leave a taste, a bitter one Campbell practically spit out...
There’s no easy explanation considering the Lions were coming off a bye, and Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was making his third NFL start. The former Michigan star was poised and shifty, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another. Then when it appeared the Lions would get one last chance, McCarthy fired a perfect 16-yard pass to Jalen Nailor on third and-5 to seal the game.
Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press:
But before we get to that, some of the blame must go on former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Because Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy got some great preparation at Michigan under Harbaugh, running a pro-style offense. He learned how to be a pro.
McCarthy learned how to make big-time plays, like he did at the end of this game. He learned how to handle pressure and make quick, smart decisions.