Lions vs. Vikings: Detroit gives up 27 consecutive points in loss
Second Quarter
The quarter opened up with the punted ball taking a bounce which favored Detroit’s field position. On schedule, Blount gained 4-yards with his opening carry of the new series but Stafford failed to hit Golladay on second down. From 3rd & 6, Stafford went deep for Andy Jones but he overthrew his target by a long way. Thankfully a Minnesota penalty led to an automatic first-down for Detroit.
Reliably, Blount gained 5-yards on his carry but the Lions couldn’t follow that up with a strong play as Zenner was then tackled for a loss of one. On the second consecutive 3rd & 6 play of the series, Stafford threaded a great pass in to Golladay to keep the chains moving.
Deep in the red zone on 2nd & 5, Theo Riddick tried to make something big happen on a run play but he only managed 2-yards. During that play, an interesting sequence occurred where Detroit’s rookie starter at left guard, Frank Ragnow, tore off the bottom of his cleat and was briefly replaced in the lineup by Joe Dahl.
Stafford very narrowly escaped throwing an interception in the end zone on third down and Detroit found themselves penalized for a false start on Prater’s initial field goal attempt. Still though, the 35-yard field goal from the kicker was good, 6-0 Detroit.
Nevin Lawson tackled Dalvin Cook in the backfield for a loss of one on the opening play of the Vikings’ new series and on the next snap, great coverage by the Lion secondary allowed defensive end Romeo Okwara to get to Cousins for Detroit’s second sack of the game. The Lions’ defense went on to force yet another punt from their opponent.
On offense, Detroit wideout T.J. Jones caught a Stafford pass for 12-yards to open up the new series and Stafford soon found young Kenny Golladay once again for another 16-yards through the air. ON 2nd & 11, Riddick was shut down on a screen pass. As they faced third and long, Stafford had to get rid of the ball earlier than he would have preferred but the Lions’ managed to draw another Viking penalty which gave them a new set of downs.
T.J. Jones tacked on another catch for 7-yards but Zenner was tackled for a loss of two yards on the next play. Matthew Stafford overthrew Golladay on third and short and again, Detroit’s offense couldn’t capitalize on the stellar play of their defense. Settling once again for a field goal, Prater connected from 48-yards out, 9-0 Detroit.