The Minnesota Vikings met the Detroit Lions on Sunday night for a chance to win the NFC North. Instead, they got handled on national television and lost 31-9. The loss ends the Vikings’ nine-game win streak.
This was the Vikings’ first loss since Oct. 24. That came against the Los Angeles Rams, who the Vikings will face next Monday night in the Wild Card round. A win could set them up for a rematch with the Lions. That wouldn’t surprise anyone, as Lions head coach Dan Campbell told Kevin O’Connell, “I’ll see you in two weeks” during the postgame handshake.
The score shows that the Vikings got handled. But they had chances to take control of this game, and O’Connell can point to several moments that could have turned the momentum. If they clean up their mistakes and take advantage of opportunities, the Vikings can not only beat the Rams, but give themselves a shot at beating the Lions in two weeks.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Pat Jones II (91) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
The disappointing game started with the quarterback. It seemed as though Sam Darnold was way too excited for this game. He missed T.J. Hockenson on third downs that ended the Vikings’ first two drives. Later, Darnold overthrew Justin Jefferson in the endzone on two overthrows. He finished 18/41 passing for 166 yards and never appeared to settle down. It was the kind of performance that fans grew accustomed to from Darnold in his first six seasons as a pro. And it’s the kind of game that can derail a playoff game and end the Vikings’ season.
Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches the ball but is ruled out of bounds in the back of the end zone against the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
The Vikings got into the redzone four consecutive drives in the second and third quarters. They turned those drives into six points, settling for two field goals and turning the ball over on downs twice. One field goal came after an Ivan Pace Jr. interception set Minnesota up at the Lions’ 7-yard line. But the Vikings gained zero yards on three plays, and the Lions held onto a 7-3 lead after the field goal.
Jan 5, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16)…
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