Detroit scored the go-ahead touchdown four minutes later, after a long drive was ended by a 7-yard touchdown catch by Jameson Williams. Minnesota’s attempt to take the lead back ended meekly, after their next possession lasted just three plays and traveled five yards before a punt.
Offensive struggles have plagued the Vikings all season. Despite their 6-0 start, they entered Sunday ranked in the bottom third of the league in scoring average and their 281 yards per game ranked fourth-fewest.
“I don’t necessarily think right now off the top of my head it’s one particular thing,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said of his team’s offensive inconsistencies after gaining 266 yards and 15 first downs, nine fewer than Detroit. “We’re just looking for consistent. Doesn’t need to be much more than guys doing their jobs. Pitching and catching.”
They had relied on a defense that had blitzed on 70.8% of opportunities through six weeks, on pace for the highest percentage since Next Gen Stats began tracking blitzes in 2016.
The Vikings blitzed Lions quarterback Jared Goff at an even higher rate of 89.7%, on 26 of his 29 dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. Goff did throw an interception against the blitz, but also completed a touchdown and threw for 130 yards because Minnesota’s blitzes were often successfully picked up by Detroit blockers.
Minnesota’s defense also did not have an answer for Gibbs, who forced 12 missed tackles en route to 153 yards on the ground.
The game was paused for roughly five minutes during the second half when Lions linebacker Jack Campbell was injured while making a tackle and laid on the turf, unmoving. He was carted off the field, taken to a local hospital and evaluated for a neck injury, according to the team.
“He’s being taken care of, we don’t have any new information,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We’re thinking about him.”
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