Lions Offense, Last Second Defense, Defeat Vikings 31-29
Photo Credit: Jeffrey Becker/Imagn Images
MINNEAPOLIS (PSF) — The Detroit Lions (5-1) defeated the Minnesota Vikings (5-1) in a close 31-29 victory. Quarterback Jared Goff lead the way with 280 passing yards and two touchdowns. They give Minnesota its first loss of the season.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke highly of Goff in the postgame press conference.
“He's a winner,” Campbell said. “He will find a way to win. He'll find a way to put the offense in position to win the game. He doesn't get frazzled. He's tough. He's competitive. And he's reliable. Man, I love the guy. Once again, he steps up huge for us on the road in a division game.”
Goff distributed the ball throughout the receiving core, with four receivers having over 30 yards, and one crossing over 100.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown lead the team with 112 receiving yards and one touchdown against the Vikings.
WR Kalif Raymond was the other receiver to catch a touchdown pass from Goff, with three catches for 39 yards.
The rushing game for Detroit also contributed in the passing game. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs logged in four catches for 44 yards. He also was unstoppable in the run game, with 116 yards and two touchdowns.
RB David Montgomery was solid in his own right, with 31 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards. This is despite a crucial fumble by Montgomery that was returned for a touchdown by Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.
For the Lions defense, it just seems to be another day in the office despite losing star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a season-ending leg injury.
The team held QB Sam Darnold to only one touchdown on 259 passing yards. While also getting one interception from safety Brian Branch.
The pass rush also got to Darnold four times, the same amount as the previous week when Hutchinson got hurt.
LB Jack Campbell, DE Joshua Paschal, LB Malcolm Rodriguez, and LB Trevor Nowaske each recorded a sack against Minnesota. Nowaske had the game sealing sack that put Detroit on top of the NFC North.
Lions S Kerby Joseph called the team the most dangerous in the league.
"I always feel like we're the most dangerous team because I feel like nobody really plays how we play," Joseph said. "We play with violence. I feel like we live in the deep end. I feel like a lot of teams live in the shallow waters, but we thrive in the deep end."
This is the second season in a row where the Lions started with a 5-1 record. That is a historical milestone.
According to Lions senior writer Tim Twentyman, this is the first time the team has started two consecutive seasons with a 5-1 record since 1934.
That was the first season the team played in Detroit after moving from Portsmouth, Ohio, where they previously played as the Portsmouth Spartans.
With this victory, the Lions now are on top of the division. In Week 8, the team will return home to host the Tennessee Titans (1-5). One team is on fire, the other is struggling beyond expectations.
