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Vikings vs. Lions
Wow, we knew today was going to be a tough game, and it was. The Vikings went up early with a 10 point lead, then the Lions came storming back and built a lead of their own. The Lions offense rolled over the Vikings defense for the middle half of the game, but the Vikings defense came back strong and Ivan Pace scored the touchdown to give the Vikings a 29-28 lead. After a 3 and out by the offense, the Lions marched down the field and kicked a field goal with 15 seconds remaining. The Vikings attempted a last second miracle, but ran out of time and the game ended.
Offense
With the exception of one bad throw that resulted in an interception, Sam Darnold played a very good game of football. He was decisive with the football, made plays with his legs from time to time, and kept the chains moving. Aaron Jones was hard to stop, getting 93 yards on 14 carries and tacking on another 23 receiving yards. Again, the offense had periods where they sputtered, but they did fairly well against a decent Lions defense.
Defense
The defense started strong, then they looked exposed for 2 quarters, and then they finished strong, with the exception of the last Lions drive. They were a huge reason for the Vikings second half comeback, but they were also a huge reason the Vikings lost the lead they built in the first quarter. In the end, they gave up 31 points, which is too many if you want your team to win.
Summary
It was a good game, but not good enough. The Minnesota Vikings are now 5-1 and are in second place in the NFC North, behind the 6-1 Lions. I have no doubt that these two teams will be the top two in the division and in the conference at the end of the year. SKOL!!!!!!!
Stats from today’s matchup, courtesy of Vikings.com.
I think the two best teams in the NFC played today, one of them barely won and the other barely lost. They’ll meet again on my birthday in week 17. The Vikings could give me a very nice birthday present that day by securing home field advantage throughout the playoffs, because I’m fairly certain that’s what the stakes will be for that game.
Detroit vs FTP should be fun.
FTP took down a tough Texan team today and Detroit still has to play them both.
KOC talked about about how they need it clean up the ‘self inflicted’ plays.
Sort of a “no duh” comment…
I didn’t watch the video, but coming off from a bye and being at home there was no excuse for all of the penalties.
He stated that both teams had 8 penalties.
Sure seemed like we had at least that many false start, illegal motion, illegal formation ones that killed drives.
KOC being Captain Obvious there, kinda.
So, with that pesky first loss of the season out of the way, it would be nice if we’d win the next 5 games before losing one again. #nojinx
It would help if KOC would snap out of that mode where he becomes Head Choke instead of Head Coach at the end of games. We’ll get there, I hope. On to the Rams.
You want fries with that?
😂🤣😆
Epic trolling.
I guess it is Cackles 60th today.
He said he would send flowers with a side of fries.
Looks like Deshaun Watson, who was carted off the field today, suffered a torn Achilles injury. A season-ending injury for Watson unfortunately.
What do they have 2-3 more seasons of that contract after this one?
Dunno… just know in retrospect, that was one of the worst decisions ever made by an NFL team.
But the absolute worst decision by a NFL team was the Vikings giving away 10 players to the Cowboys for Hershel Walker.
I prefer the terms “bold” and “historic”… grin.
Remember when Ditka traded the Saints entire draft to move up to the #5 pick, to get Ricky Williams?
Bold and Historic fit.
But unfortunately on the bad side.
Yes. absolutely correct. That set the Vikings back many years, and built the Cowboys a dynasty.
He was signed to a 5 year deal in the offseason of ’22..
I don’t know if the 27 season is included or not?
Was suspended most of ’22, played like crap in ’23, was not playing well in ’24 and will miss the rest of it.
I guess they are stuck with him 2 more season, ’25 and ’26?
They’re stuck paying him through 2026
I think they also pay void year money in 2027. They’re f**ked
Chiefs vs Niners game is weird. Neither QB thus far is playing well. Niners are playimg without their top three receivers though.
Mahomes looked pedestrian, Purdy looked downright bad and lost.
Yeah, when receivers aren’t where they’re supposed to be, on time, and with separation, QB’s start looking that way.
Im over it.
The Lions are the better team. The better team won today.
We aren’t at that top level yet. With darnold as qb we won’t be.
We better beat the Rams
I don’t think I’m whining or throwing a fit at all.
In fact, i applaud my maturity to get over a game that we should have won, so quickly.
Have to agree here. Kinda over it as well. Would have liked to see Reichard to get a chance to win it from 67 (or 72) yards out, but of course we ended the game with a penalty that took away that possibility 🙂
Well we had that penalty because good ol darnold held the ball for 5 seconds and then threw it over the middle…
But i don’t want to be too doom and gloom for the overly optimistic people here so i won’t share myopnion on how I feel about our mediocre qb
That much doom & gloom over one game? Yikes.
Lol
Oregon the new #1 Team in the country after Georgia beat Texas last night.
https://sports.yahoo.com/ap-top-25-oregon-moves-up-to-no-1-georgia-to-no-2-after-bulldogs-win-over-texas-180848730.html
Erin Andrews looks hideous.
Almost looks like a guy to me.
Defense had no answer today.
Lets hope this was just a fluke and not a trend.
On to LA.
Hard to imagine how Ben Johnson’s offense has open receivers every play but O’Connell’s doesn’t. I wish they would have given up on those sweeps and tosses and stuck to the off guard and off tackle stuff. Seemed to me like Darnold was indecisive or maybe misreading things. He certainly has his ups and downs.
So did our defense. They allowed the Lions to get back way too easily, and were an inch away from sacks or fumbles, but ultimately kept trying to blitz for too long. Detroit figured it out, and they didn’t switch to four man pressure until it was a bit too late. I also think we missed Cashman a lot more than I thought we would, especially with the zones in the middle of the field.
All in all I think we’ll be fine. Let Detroit get overconfident now, because I think they will get handled by the rest of their schedule. It’s disappointing that our offense couldn’t do more against their defense minus Hutchinson, but we have some guys coming back soon.
Yea I wondered about the offense, We got an easy score after the fake punt and then the scoop and score. And after those two plays, we score 14 points. Something just seemed off.
The defense held their own against a good balanced offense – won some lost some.
Detroit is good, so are we and both teams will be there at the end.
Darnold is not impressing me anymore.
He makes some good throws, like most NFL Quarterbacks SHOULD….
But he looked skittish alot, made some real poor throws and when we had even just a LITTLE chance at the end he held the ball for 5 seconds and then threw the ball to the middle of the field.
His 3rd down throw to Jefferson on that last offensive possession was reallllly bad too. Throws it 100 miles an hour and high. Our defense can’t win every game
Agreed, Darnold looked off most of the game. Two point conversion might have been on the play call, but the INT was all Darnold, and that inability to produce a couple first downs to close out the game is on him and KOC. Offense lost this one, in the end.
Daniels heads to the locker room, hurt, and Mariota comes in for the Redskins.
That sucks, hope Daniels is OK. Kid looked phenomenal so far.
Rams don’t look impressive early vs Raiders, there’s a reason they are 1-4. Should be able to handle them on Thursday, I hope.
Rib injury of some sort. Hopefully a bruise… not a cracked rib.
During the middle of this game I was very down on this team. However, even though I’m disappointed that we lost this game, this team is going to win a lot of games this year. The NFC North is the division to watch this year.
Meh, they weren’t gonna win 17. Would have been nice to have 2 games on the kitties but the next 5 or so games set up nice for the vikes. On to the rams.
Yup. I’m over it.
Opportunity was there. Got down, fought back.
we see them again.
Gotta right the ship in 4 days
I don’t think Thursday will be an issue. The Rams are not the Lions.
Detroit played a nearly perfect game and beat us by 2. I feel we played off for most of the game. I still like our chances this year.
Yep, they weren’t going to win em all. If they won the ones they’re supposed to from here on out they still win 14 or 15.
Depressing, somehow… same old Vikings, in the end.
#nojinx
At least we have a quick turn around to put this one behind us?
Sigh