Lions vs. Vikings: Detroit gives up 27 consecutive points in loss

First Quarter Continued

After the Lion offense stalled out, kicker Matt Prater marched out for a 47-yard field goal which split the uprights, 3-0 Detroit.

Viking running back Dalvin Cook got his first carry of the game and he took it for 4-yards. On the next play, Cousins missed his receiver Diggs once again and on 3rd & 6, the Vikings tried to run it but Lions’ defensive lineman Ricky Jean-Francois was ready. He played it well and stopped the runner for a small gain which was short of the first down.

On Detroit’s next possession, Blount picked up a quick four on the ground and Stafford quickly found Riddick with another screen pass but this time, the shifty runner gained a first down. Blount couldn’t come down with Stafford’s next pass and on the next snap, Zenner came in and gained two.

The Lions moved the chains with a nice toe-drag catch by Golladay and tight end Levine Toilolo followed that play up with a nice catch for a 16-yard gain. On second down, Detroit tried another screen play but the ball was dropped again by Blount.

In a questionable play, Detroit opted to run it and Riddick was tackled short of the first down (a common theme in the early going of this game). Instead of a 55-yard field goal attempt by Prater, Detroit decided to punt it away.

Cousins led his offensive unit back out to the field to try and put something together. He completed a pass to running back Latavius Murray for a gain of 2-yards but on the subsequent play, Cook was swallowed up by a defensive effort led by Damon “Snacks” Harrison.

On third down, cornerback Nevin Lawson found his way to Cousins for the game’s first sack and that play ended the first quarter.