Lions vs. Vikings: Detroit gives up 27 consecutive points in loss
The Detroit Lions give up 27 consecutive points to the Minnesota Vikings in their Week 16 loss at home in Ford Field on Sunday afternoon.
It’s needless to say that the Detroit Lions have been decimated by injury in recent weeks but the team received a shot in the arm this week when former All-Pro return man and cornerback, Jamal Agnew was activated to the 53-man roster.
A 9-7 finish for the third consecutive year would have most certainly been a welcome sight for Detroit but that is not a possibility as the team now sits at 5-9, out of the playoffs, and currently holding the seventh overall pick in the upcoming draft.
With only pride and each other left to play for, the Lions geared up for their final home game of 2018 in front of the Ford Field faithful.
First Quarter
Detroit began this game on offense and running back LeGarrette Blount gained 4-yards on his first carry. Zach Zenner supplanted Blount in the backfield on the next snap and he gained another 5-yards. On 3rd & 1, Zenner burst through a large hole in the defense for a 29-yard rush.
Stafford tried to connect with wideout Kenny Golladay on a deep pass but the football hit the ground as the pass fell incomplete. After Blount was stopped in the backfield on second down, Detroit faced a 3rd & 13. On that play, Stafford found his running back, Theo Riddick on a screen pass but he was tackled well short of the first down marker.
Punter Sam Martin came in and booted the ball 42-yards in the other direction and the football was downed by Lion wide receiver Andy Jones at the Minnesota 2-yard line during a nifty heads up play on special teams.
Detroit had the Vikings pinned in the shadow of their own end zone and after two straight running plays, Minnesota barely made any sort of forward progress. On third down, Minnesota’s big money quarterback, Kirk Cousins missed on a pass attempt to his receiver Stefon Diggs which brought on a Viking punt.
Stafford opened up his next series by connecting with Golladay for a gain of 21-yards through the air. On the next play, Blount fought for another 5-yards on the ground and from there, Zenner gained only another 2-yards. On the third down play, Riddick was once again tackled well short of the first down.