Jake Bates made a 44-yard field goal with 15 seconds left in the game and the Detroit Lions inflicted their first defeat on the Minnesota Vikings by winning 31-29.
The Lions (5-1) resisted the comeback of the Vikings (5-1) to sign a fourth consecutive victory and seize first place in the North division of the National.
Returning from their bye week, the day started off well for the Vikings. After stopping the Lions on a fourth down, the Vikings’ attack took the field in a good position in enemy territory. Aaron Jones quickly gave his team the lead with a 34-yard run for the major.
Trailing 10-0, the Lions’ offense exploded in the second quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns. Jahmyr Gibbs scored first on a spectacular 45-yard run, then Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown combined to score another long 35-yard touchdown. Gibbs then reached the end zone for the second time in the quarter to give his team an 11-point lead.
The Vikings’ response came in the first offensive sequence after returning from the locker room. Justin Jefferson caught the pass from Sam Darnold in the end zone to close the gap.
The Lions’ offense, however, gave headaches to one of the best defenses in the NFL. Goff threw his second touchdown pass of the game into the hands of Kalif Raymond to give the Lions an 11-point lead.
After two field goals from kicker Will Reichard, Minnesota trailed by just five points. The defensive unit stood up at the right time. Ivan Pace Jr recovered a fumbled ball from David Montgomery and brought the ball into the end zone. The two-point conversion, however, was missed by Sam Darnold and Jordan Addison, which gave the Vikings a small point lead.
This failed transformation cost Kevin O’Connell’s troop dearly. Goff and his offense put the ball in good position for Bates, who made the game-winning field goal with 15 sessions remaining.
Goff completed 22 of 25 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. St. Brown was his favorite target with eight receptions for 112 yards and Gibbs had his first 100-yard rushing game this season finishing the game with 116 yards.
Darnold did well in the loss. He was the victim of an interception, but still completed 22 of his 27 passes for 259 yards. Jefferson caught seven balls for 81 yards.
Minnesota was trying to start its season with a 6-0 record for the first time since 2009.
