Detroit Lions 31, Minnesota Vikings 29: Vikings Lose First Game of the Season

But they fought like heck

On Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Detroit Lions, the Minnesota Vikings faced as much adversity as they had faced all season. They almost overcame it, but they didn’t quite get there.

Jake Bates’ 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining made the difference as the Vikings lost for the first time this year, falling to the Lions by a final score of 31-29.

After the Vikings snuffed out a fake punt from the Lions on the first drive of the game, the Minnesota offense took just two plays to get into the end zone, courtesy of a 34-yard run from Aaron Jones to stake the home team to a quick 7-0 lead.

Minnesota got more points on their second possession, as rookie Will Reichard drilled one home from 57 to make it 10-0.

The Lions got onto the scoreboard early in the second quarter with a long run of their own, as Jahmyr Gibbs took a handoff around the right side and went untouched for a 45-yard touchdown to make the score 10-7 just over a minute into the second quarter.

The Lions then put the Vikings in a position that they haven’t been in since the first quarter of Week 1. . .trailing. Jared Goff found Amon-Ra St. Brown for a 35-yard touchdown and the Lions took a 14-10 lead midway through the second quarter of play.

The collapse continued for the Vikings on their next possession, as an underthrown pass from Sam Darnold intended for Jordan Addison was intercepted by Detroit’s Brian Branch for a turnover. Detroit took advantage with Gibbs’ second touchdown of the afternoon, an 8-yard run to make it 21-10 heading into the locker room at halftime.

The Vikings got things back on track on the first possession of the second half, as Darnold found Justin Jefferson for a big 25-yard touchdown catch to cut the Detroit lead to 21-17 with just under 11 minutes left in the quarter.

The Lions answered right back with another Goff touchdown pass, this one a 21-yarder to Khalif Raymond to put the Detroit lead back to 28-17 with just under six minutes left in the third quarter.

The Vikings cut into the lead on the second play of the fourth quarter on a 42-yard field goal by Will Reichard to make it 28-20. They got another field goal from the rookie later in the quarter, a 48-yarder to cut it to 28-23 with around six minutes left on the clock.

Then, the Vikings’ defense made their biggest play of the day as Josh Metellus stripped David Montgomery on the Lions’ first play after the field goal and Ivan Pace Jr. picked it up and raced 35 yards for a touchdown to put the Vikings back on top by a score of 29-28. The Vikings then went for 2 and failed, leaving it a 1-point game with 5:50 remaining in regulation.

After the defensive touchdown, the Vikings’ defense allowed the Lions to get into position for Bates, who put it through the uprights from 44 yards out to provide the difference.

The Vikings fall to 5-1 on the season and now trail the Lions in the NFC North standings. They have a quick turnaround before they face the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 8.

The Minnesota Vikings lose to the Detroit Lions by a final score of 31-29 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season. Thanks to everyone who got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!