Lions at Vikings Recap, Highlights, Final Score, More

The Minnesota Vikings defense once again looked mortal, as the Detroit Lions stormed back in overtime to hand the Vikes their first home defeat.

Matthew Stafford marched his Detroit Lions right on down the field with less than 30 seconds left in the game to tie up the gam. He then did the same in overtime, delivering the dagger on a touchdown strike to Golden Tate on the first drive.

What was supposed to be the strong point of this team, the Vikings defense has looked average at best the last two weeks versus divisional foes.

For most of the game, Stafford dinked and dunked his way down the field on the possessions they did score, only hitting on two gash plays. The first was to Theo Riddick on the 40-yard gallop and the second being the last play of the game to Tate.

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The Vikings offense was a mixed bag of results. New interim offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, implemented a multitude of wide receiver screens and quick underneath routes. It’s probably the best this offense has looked since the bye, but it still wasn’t good enough.

Unfortunately, the kickers were key to this game. Detroit has themselves a reliable, clutch kicker in Matt Prater who nailed a cold-blooded 58 yard field goal to send the game to overtime. Minnesota, on the other hand, saw their unreliable kicker negatively impact yet another game. Blair Walsh was 1-of-2 on field goals, one being blocked, then banged an extra point off the goal post.

Minnesota now drops to 5-3 on the year, with the last two losses coming at the hands of divisional opponents.

Three Stars

Matthew Stafford, Lions (23-36, 219 yards, 2 TDs, 1 Int) – The stats don’t exactly jump off the charts, but Stafford was once again clutch for his team. First the drive to put them in field goal range, then the dart for the game winner. Stafford has been playing at an extremely high level all season long. There are ways to exploit this Vikings defense and Stafford did an admirable job finding a way to win.

Golden Tate, Lions (11 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD) – Is it time to jump back on the Golden Tate bandwagon? A few silent games from Marvin Jones Jr. has led to some pretty productive ones for Tate, now finding his niche in the offense once again after not being involved much early in the season. 

Stefon Diggs, Vikings (13 receptions, 80 yards) – Even though the Vikings lost, it was thrilling to see them get their playmakers involved early and often. Diggs is on pace to be Minnesota’s first 1,000 yard wide receiver since 2009, if he can stay healthy that is.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/795338453298790400

Next Game

Detroit heads into thei4 bye, but then back home to Ford Field to host the reeling Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. The Vikings head to the nation’s capitol to take on the Washington Redskins in Week 10.