Lions vs. Vikings: Detroit gives up 27 consecutive points in loss
Fourth Quarter
Thielen snagged a 17-yard catch on second down and on 3rd & 2, a penalty by the Vikings nullified their own touchdown score. Still though, Minnesota retained good field position in the red zone as they got the first down at Detroit’s 17-yard line.
An unsportsmanlike penalty called on Nevin Lawson pushed the Vikings deeper into Detroit’s territory and Cousins once again found Kyle Rudolph in the end zone with a 4-yard touchdown strike, the quarterback’s third of the game, 24-9 Minnesota.
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A Stafford pass to Blount (which lost 5-yards) opened up Detroit’s ninth possession of the ball. The tenth year quarterback artfully moved the chains with a nice pass to his receiver Andy Jones and a few plays later, Blount picked up another first down with his legs. Once again though, the drive stalled out with a missed pass by Stafford after which he fervently argued in favor of an illegal contact flag from the referees that never came.
Latavius Murray came into the game for the Vikings and gashed the Lions on the ground with an 11-yard scamper. Murray’s run was the highlight of that series as the Lion defense tightened a forced a punt.
Though he found separation on the defender, Kenny Golladay could not come down with a deep pass from his quarterback. Matthew Stafford couldn’t connect with And Jones on the next snap and a third down flip to Theo Riddick found the running back (once again) short of the first down.
Lion head coach Matt Patricia tried to be aggressive on fourth down and made the call to go for it but his quarterback got sacked as the play resulted in a turnover on downs. The Lions handed the ball back to the Vikings, putting them automatically into the red zone, as they began at Detroit’s 10-yard line.
The Vikings went on to boot a 29-yard field goal, 27-9 Minnesota.
Detroit’s backup quarterback Matt Cassell came into the game late in the fourth quarter to replace the already hurting Stafford as this game couldn’t seem to end soon enough for the home team. Cassell didn’t accomplish anything of note during his stretch and a fake punt pass failed for the Lions, giving Minnesota supreme field position once again.
On 4th & 1 at Detroit’s 15-yard line, Minnesota went for it and failed. Shortly thereafter came the game’s final two-minute warning.
The Lions moved the ball during garbage time but their efforts were largely meaningless.
Mercifully, this game finally skidded to a halt for the Lions, 27-9 Final.