Between the lines: Lions 30, Vikings 24.
Do you have any comments or questions? Send it to the Vikings.com Mailbox! Every Monday, we’ll post a few comments and/or questions as part of the Vikings.com Monday Morning Mailbag. Although we are unable to post every remark or question, we will respond to every question submitted.
Click here to send a remark or question to the Mailbag. Please remember to mention your name and town in the email. If you prefer Twitter, you can also ask me a question there.
On Sunday, the Vikings’ 2023 season of being too close for comfort in every direction continued to go awry.
Minnesota dropped 30-24 against Detroit, and the Lions won the NFC North with two weeks.
Minnesota lost 30-24 to Detroit, allowing the Lions to clinch the NFC North with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The Vikings (7-8) played their 15th one-score game of the season. Minnesota: had some explosive plays, but gave up four interceptions on offense; allowed an opening-game touchdown drive and was unable to consistently shut down the Lions before making a late stop; and yet had a shot in a game vital to the team’s season goals.
Minnesota suffered injuries to outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, as well as tight end T.J. Hockenson and rookie receiver Jordan Addison, forcing them to exit the game early.
The Vikings put in a valiant effort offensively, but the defense failed to make key plays, allowing the Lions to mount numerous prolonged scoring drives. Mullens made the worst passing choice of the season on the [first-and-10] interception with 58 seconds left; why don’t you force that? Well, there’s always next season. The following are my three positives and negatives for the game:
The Vikings offense executed an excellent opening drive for an answered touchdown. Nicely done.
The Vikings converted a third-and-19 in the first half’s two-minute drill, followed by a touchdown pass from Mullins scrambling right to Jefferson. Wow.
The Vikings open the second half with a terrific touchdown drive to take the lead. Unfortunately, the defense was ineffective in holding it.
Lions start their drive. The Vikings defense allows repeated third-down conversions, allows the Lions to overcome multiple mistakes, fails to finish sack opportunities, misses multiple crucial stops, and surrenders a prolonged 7-minute touchdown drive to start the game. The Vikings defense performed significantly below expectations.
Another ridiculous penalty on a Vikings kickoff return. If the Vikings are unable to perform kickoff returns without incurring penalties, they should simply cease attempting them at all. At best, this is reckless and undisciplined play.
For the second week in a row, the Vikings offense started a game with an outstanding touchdown drive. It was a nice response to Detroit’s 14-play, 75-yard drive that took 7:47.
Ty Chandler scored on a 2-yard run to cap a play that started with an easy delayed toss to tight end Josh Oliver for 33 yards.
Minnesota’s defense should have done better on the first possession, but it allowed an 11-yard pass on second-and-12, resulting in a 4-yard run.
Nick Mullens’ throw-and-catch to Justin Jefferson on third-and-19 advanced the ball to the Detroit 26, allowing Mullens to connect with Jefferson for a 26-yard score shortly before halftime.
The amazing score was Jefferson’s 29th receiving touchdown, moving
The Lions were 6-for-12 on third downs in the game and converted two fourth-and-1s during a 13-play, 75-yard drive that took 7:18 of the third quarter and put Detroit up 23-21 with 4:38 remaining.
I can’t express how much [Defensive Coordinator Brian] Flores has contributed to our defense; man down culture!
Seems [Nick] Mullens is a turnover machine, just like [Joshua] Dobbs; will we finally give the rookie quarterback (Jaren Hall) a chance? Better evaluate our talent before we enter the offseason and draft. We realized our season was ended and it was time to start thinking about the future. Even if we win the next two games, Mullens will turn the ball over. It is true, as evidenced by data from two games.
We are losing so many terrific players to free agency, and it would be a shame to squander money away on Kirk [Cousins] if we are unable to keep talent due to cap difficulties.
This season, the SKOL Drum has been beating steadily on the necessity of football protection.
Minnesota is 17-0 under Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell when the turnover margin is neutral or in their favor, and 3-12 when the turnover margin is negative in 32 regular-season games.
Mullens passed for 411 yards, although he was frustrated by some misplaced throws. His final attempt was a deep heave toward Jefferson, but it lurched enough to allow Ifeatu Melifonwu to undercut the pat
