Roy J. Akers-www.skyviewsports.net
It is unfathomable to believe that if the NFL playoffs started this weekend, all four NFC North teams would make it. Minnesota entered the game as unbeaten with KC. After they took it to the Lions in the first quarter, Detroit builds a 21-10 lead and the home team chips away until dramatics by both teams make this game a photo finish settled by a rookie kicker. How did the game unfold? Here we go.
First Quarter
The Detroit Lions open the game on offense and it was their worst start to a game this season. Four plays, four yard and two penalties. Not sure why Dan Campbell went for it on fourth down fairly deep in his own territory and run a botched running play that was sniffed out by Minnesota. Did not like the play not only because the play failed, but Minnesota has an explosive offense with a crowd really into the game. Dumb really. Minnesota goes two plays for 34 yards and a TD. (11:43 – 1st) Jones goes left tackle for the score. Minnesota 7- Detroit 0. The Lions look much the same on their second possession as their first. Holding penalties, botched plays and a punt.
Campbell’s Take after the game on the botched play and the game.
“We knew they were going to be ready and it was going to come down to the wire. The team knew this. We talked about patience … keep your composure, communication, and an attitude,” Campbell said. “Our guys did that. We hung in there. We didn’t bat an eye.”
Minnesota goes back on the March
The Vikings second possession was a mix of good Lions defensive play, another chain moving first down on a penalty by Carlton Davis and an 18-yard grab by Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson. It ends with a Vikes field goal. Will Reichard Made 57 Yd Field Goal. 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:36 Vikes 10- Lions 0. The Lions nearly fumble the ball on the first play of their third possession of the quarter. Tim Patrick had the ball jarred loose but whether he was down or not was inconclusive. Two plays later, the Lions try to go for a short fourth down conversion and Detroit jumps and they punt. The Vikings have a pair of holding penalties on their first set of downs, the second holding penalty negates a potential Jefferson grab. Detroit holds Minnesota and they punt. Detroit goes to Jahmyr Gibbs after David Montgomery goes out of the game earlier in the quarter. Detroit’s first first down of the quarter happens on the final play before the clock runs out. After one, Vikings 10- Lions 0.
Second Quarter
Detroit uses a heavy dose of Gibbs in this drive, with two runs and a reception. The second run Gibbs takes it to the house for 45 yards. (13:42 – 2nd) TOUCHDOWN. Bates extra point is GOOD, Minnesota 10- Detroit 7.
After the kickoff, Sam Darnold scrambles for 19 with a Vikings wideout open and moves the chains. A short completion to Jordan Addison for four yards was defensed by NFC Player-of-the-Week Brian Branch and he breaks up the next play and Minnesota punts. (11:22 – 2nd) The Lions Goff passes deep right to A.St. Brown to DET 34 for 17 yards. PENALTY on MIN-I.Pace, Roughing the Passer, 15 yards, enforced at DET 34. David Montgomery returns to the game and gains five yards. St. Brown jukes for 14 yards and Detroit is rolling. On cue, Goff connects with St. Brown for a TD throw on a seam route. The 35 yard grab gives the Lions their first lead. 5 plays, 83 yards, 2:45 Lions 14- Vikings 10.
Branch makes a highlight reel play interception
The Vikings attempt to throw down the sideline to Jordan Addison and the human highlight film Branch stretches for the interception. Detroit had five takeaways last week against the Cowboys and have an NFL long streak of takeaways in ten straight games. Detroit rolls with a heavy dose of Gibbs, but a 25-yard shoe top reception by Sam LaPorta gives the Lions a big play on third down. The Lions are mixing Gibbs and Montgomery on plays and Gibbs scores on an 8 Yd Rush. Bates extra point is GOOD. 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:13 Detroit 21- Minnesota 10.
Key 1st half stat: Jared Goff is 12-12 for 156 yards and a TD.
Third Quarter.
The Vikings take the second half kickoff and Sam Darnold is working overtime to connect with Jefferson and does on the first play of the half for 15 yards. Brian Branch appeared to pick up a strip a few plays later from Jefferson but he was clearly out of bounds. Minnesota is now moving the ball. Jones rushes twice for 19 yards and Justin Jefferson receives a TD pass From Sam Darnold for 25 Yds. Drive Summary. 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:18. Detroit 21- Minnesota 17.
The Lions answer
Detroit goes on the attack after receiving the kickoff and Goff audibles on third and nine and completes a back shoulder grab by Kalif Raymond. Goff’s completion streak ends at 15. Tim Patrick goes over the middle for 17 yards on third and long. Three plays later, the Lions score. (5:43 – 3rd) (Shotgun) Goff’s short left pass to Raymond goes for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Bates extra point is GOOD. Lions 28- Vikings 17.
Minnesota clicks after receiving the kickoff. Darnold connects with Nailor for 33 yards to the Lions 42. On third down, Darnold has plenty of time to throw and connects with Jones for a first down. The quarter ends and the drive continues for two more fourth quarter plays.
Fourth Quarter
The drive ends with a Vikings field goal. Will Reichard Made 42 Yd Field Goal. Lions 28- Vikings 20. 9 plays, 46 yards, 6:19. The Lions go three and out and Minnesota capitalizes. Darnold connects with Jordan Addison Darnold pass deep right to Addison to DET 40 for 51 yards. The momentum is now back with Minnesota midway through the 4th. Darnold scrambles multiple times for short gains and they settle for three. Will Reichard Made 48 Yd Field Goal. 7 plays, 61 yards, 4:06. Detroit 28- Minnesota 23.
Scoop and Score- Vikings
Minnesota has had huge defensive plays all year. That is why they are 6-0. The Lions David .Montgomery goes left tackle to DET 35 for 5 yards and fumbles. It is recovered by Minnesota’s-Ivan Pace Jr. and he picks up the fumble at the DET 35. The two-point conversion fails. Minnesota 29-Detroit 28.
The Lions Crumble
The Lions go three and out. A great deep pass from Goff to Raymond was just out of bounds along the sideline. Andrew Van Ginkel sacks Goff on third down and Detroit punts. The Vikings also go three and out.
The Lions Redemption on the final drive
The Lions use Gibbs on a rushing/receiving combo on two straight plays for 30. Then St. Brown catches a first down grab for 14 to the Vikes 22. The Lions run a play and then force Minnesota to burn their timeouts. The Lions send kicker Jake Bates out to kick a 44-yard field goal and he connects with 15 seconds left. Detroit 31- Minnesota 29. Minnesota connects on a short pass and commits a penalty. One final play and the game is over. Lions 31-29.
Games Three Stars
Star One- Jared Goff
Goff will never put up the 500 yard passing games. The Lions do not need him to. He is not a game manager, but he is efficient and can pass to set up Gibbs and Montgomery or have that duo run to set up St. Brown and others. Not sure what is going on with LaPorta and Jameson Williams, as LaPorta had one great catch and Williams touched the ball once, but this was the deck Detroit played with. Goff was 22-25 for 280 yards passing and two scores and his clutch throw to St. Brown for a final drive first down, allowed Detroit to make Minnesota exhaust their timeouts.
Star Two- Ivan Pace Jr. Minnesota
Pace had ten total tackles including three solos. He had a sack, quarterback hit and had a scoop and score for a TD. The Vikings gave the Lions shorthanded offensive line a bruising at times and had four sacks.
Star Three
Sam Darnold is not fast, he is elusive and runs with both grit and good football sense. His passing on the day was 22-27 for 256 yards and two scores. Darnold officially ran four times for 39 yards and had the Lions chasing him all afternoon and he finally got on track with Justin Jefferson in the second half.
Honorable Mentions for Detroit: Alex Anzalone, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch and the Lions secondary. Only one holding/pass interference call all day.
Key Stat
Detroit came into the Vikings game as the NFL’s only team not to lose a fumble this season. That is no longer the case as Ivan Pace Jr. returned a Montgomery fumble to the house for a Vikings TD.
Game Stats- Offensive
Roy J. Akers is a multi-media reporter and covers several sports for www.skyviewsports.net