Penalties, fumbles, and injuries derail the Lions' second half, as familiar mistakes cost them momentum against the Vikings.
The second half began with the Vikings up three points and receiving the ball.
Their first drive opened with two Aaron Jones runs for nine yards, setting up a quick third-and-short for the Lions defense. That’s when Alim McNeill jumped offsides, gifting Minnesota a free first down. Eventually, on third-and-three near midfield, J.J. McCarthy rolled out and tried to throw across his body, but the pass sailed behind his target, and the Lions defense got off the field.
Detroit’s offense returned the favor with a quick three-and-out. The drive featured a rare drop from Amon-Ra St. Brown and a moment of concern when Penei Sewell got up grimacing and rotating his left arm.
Minnesota’s next possession started with a dart from McCarthy to Justin Jefferson for a first down to midfield. Jordan Mason added five yards on the ground before a botched snap set up third-and-seven. McCarthy again went Jefferson’s way for another first down — though the ball looked to hit the turf during the catch. In today’s NFL, nobody truly knows what a catch is, but the Lions won the challenge and forced a 4th-and-7.
Pinned deep in their own territory, the Lions started at their own 10. A misfire to David Montgomery, then another pass to Montgomery for a loss, set up — you guessed it — another third-and-long. Goff pitched it to Montgomery, who picked up the first down but fumbled the ball straight into the Vikings’ hands.
The defense stood tall for two plays before a cramp to Jefferson paused the game. On third down from the nine-yard line, McCarthy slipped through the defense and ran in a touchdown to give the Vikings a 10-point lead.
After a solid return from Sione Sailors, the Lions' offensive line reminded everyone of their struggles. Goff was sacked again on first down. Sewell was still hobbling, and Taylor Decker was already out. On 2nd-and-18, Goff found St. Brown for 15 yards, and then on third-and-three connected with Brock Wright to move the chains. Another completion to Jameson Williams pushed Detroit into range, but penalties and protection issues forced them to settle for a field goal. The Lions trailed 24–17.
The Vikings nearly broke the game open with a kickoff return touchdown — until a holding call wiped it out, keeping hope alive at Ford Field.
Minnesota’s next series started with a short completion to Jefferson, but cornerback Amik Robertson got up slow, and Terrion Arnold had already left earlier. Both starting corners were out for the big third down — but they weren’t needed, as the defensive line broke through for a sack to force a punt. A penalty on the Vikings added 15 yards, giving Detroit good field position.
Starting at their own 40, Montgomery bulldozed for 11 yards and a first down into Vikings territory. Two more carries gained six, setting up third-and-four. Detroit kept feeding Montgomery, but he was stopped short, leading to a fourth-and-two. On the biggest play of the game to that point, Goff calmly hit Sam LaPorta for a clutch first down.
Inside the 25, a no-gain run and multiple penalties derailed momentum. Injuries piled up — Tate Ratledge left for the locker room, and St. Brown stayed down after a third-down catch before walking off. With 8:41 left and facing 4th-and-5, Goff drew Minnesota offsides with a perfect hard count. But the drive ended painfully: more false starts, another sack, and a blocked field goal returned deep into Lions territory.
Minnesota started at Detroit’s 26 and appeared poised to seal the game, but a holding call slowed them. They still worked it to the one-yard line and kicked a short field goal to push the lead to two possessions.
Down 27–17 with 3:31 remaining, the Lions needed a miracle. They found a spark — Goff hit Jameson Williams deep for a long touchdown to pull within three.
But it wasn’t enough. Minnesota milked the clock with a short QB sneak, a run for one yard, and on third-and-five, McCarthy hit Jalen Nailor for a first down and the dagger.
The Lions dropped their first game against Minnesota in five tries, falling to 5–3 — a reminder that the ghosts of “Same Old Lions” mistakes still linger in Ford Field.