Coming off their first divisional win of the season, the Detroit Lions faced the undefeated Minnesota Vikings in another NFC North battle. The game was another nail-biter, and the Lions’ offense was too much for the Vikings to slow down. Minnesota’s offense continued to struggle as they could only find the end zone once, which isn’t enough to stay undefeated in the NFL. Detroit held on and handed the Vikings their first loss of the season, winning 19-15.
Here are my six takeaways from the Lions’ win
against the Vikings.
This was a Jahmyr Gibbs takeover
It took a while to work out, but running back Jahmyr Gibbs took the game over when the Lions needed it most. Quarterback Jared Goff faced heavy blitzing, and when you can run the ball well, it forces the defense to ease up on that blitz. Gibbs’s only touchdown of the game was his best run of the season, and Goff even got out to block for him, helping Gibbs get six on the play.
That play sparked Gibbs to take over the game, finishing with 153 yards on 23 carries—and two catches for 15 yards. In the fourth quarter, when Detroit needed to drain the clock and win, Gibbs ran for gains of 14, eight, and six. I wasn’t expecting Gibbs to have a monster game against the Vikings this week, but he did.
Sione Vaki can’t be ignored either
While Gibbs will get a lot of the attention, backup running back Sione Vaki deserves a lot of credit for this win, too. Vaki, offensively, hadn’t done much in his career prior to this game, but he could become the Lions’ backup running back for the future after his Week 8 performance: Vaki had 11 carries for 65 yards and a catch for five yards.
It wasn’t just the results of Vaki’s runs, it was how he was getting them that stood out. Sometimes Vaki broke tackles and got more yards; other times, his speed made him look like he got shot out of a cannon. Vaki had himself a game too, and without someone to give Gibbs a break, this offense wouldn’t have been as explosive as it was today.
Refs did everything to help Minnesota, but it wasn’t enough
This was the worst-officiated game of the Lions’ season. The first taunting penalty with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown was understandable, and it was a dumb play by him. The taunting on wide receiver Jameson Williams, though? Awful call. Who knew spinning the ball near a foot is way different than just spinning the football? I don’t think Williams planted the ball by the feet on purpose; he just put it down to celebrate, so now he has to make sure he’s not near anyone?
We all sadly remember the phantom facemask, but now the Lions are being called for phantom false starts, as left tackle Penei Sewell was called for back-to-back false starts when he didn’t move a muscle. We also learned that uncatchable passes can now be eligible for defensive pass interference calls, as Detroit was called for defensive pass interference on a throw that was clearly uncatchable.
This game was heavily influenced by the officiating, as it cost a touchdown and pushed the Lions out of field-goal range on their opening drive. It’s sad how officiating can change a game like that. If you give St. Brown that touchdown and don’t give Williams that penalty, Detroit wins this game 29-15, and it’s a lot less stressful.
Injuries are piling up
Just when the Lions were getting healthier with multiple players returning from injuries, those same players—and more—are back to dealing with new injuries. Starting center Cade Mays left the game with an ankle injury and didn’t return. Safety Brian Branch struck EDGE DJ Wonnum on a tackle, and both of their helmets collided. Both players would be ruled out of the game with a concussion.
The biggest loss was linebacker Jack Campbell, who left the game with a neck injury. He was motionless on the field and had to be taken off the field on a stretcher. Campbell is a huge part of the defense, and his absence opens a big hole in a defense that has improved the past three games. Detroit is already down linebacker Devin White, and rookie linebacker Jimmy Rolder was injured on the same play Campbell went down.
Cornerback D.J. Reed left the game in the fourth quarter with a hip injury and didn’t return. Running back and kick returner Jacob Saylors left the game with a neck injury and didn’t return, knocking another kick returner out for the Lions.
The silver lining is that Branch and Mays have been out for five games, so the team has players with experience in their spots. Center Juice Scruggs was playing well before Mays returned, so the offensive line doesn’t really miss a step. Defensive back Keith Abney II played safety against the Arizona Cardinals and got playing time against the Packers the week before.
This team was doing well with injuries entering Sunday, but suddenly the number of players injured is giving flashbacks to the past two seasons. Losing star players like Branch and Campbell would be a huge hit to a defense that looks a lot better than it did in September.
Brad Holmes is going to have to make a move at the trade deadline
Before this game, Lions fans have been vocal about Lions general manager Brad Holmes making a trade. With so many injuries on Sunday, the pressure is really on Holmes to make a move. The trade deadline is Tuesday, November 10th, so they still have another game to play before they need to make a trade. With the team going international that week, though, they might want to make a trade soon so that player could play as early as in that Germany game.
The big question is where do you get help at? The EDGE spot has depth with rookie Derrick Moore, Tyler Lacy, and Ahmed Hassanein. Linebacker is down Devin White, and Rolders’ status is unknown. The team may have only three healthy options: Derrick Barnes, Trevor Nowaske, and Malcolm Rodriguez. At secondary, cornerback has been a position fans have clamored for, and depth wouldn’t hurt. In the secondary, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said safety Thomas Harper could return soon, and Kerby Joseph started his 21-day window to see if he can get off PUP.
Detroit could use help at many spots on defense, so maybe Holmes makes multiple trades. Either way, time is ticking away, and if you don’t want to lose the momentum you have right now, you have to make a move to help this team.
Youth movement inbound
The Lions have aimed to get younger overall, and the youth movement got a big push on Sunday. While it wasn’t all by design, we saw multiple rookies get some playing time on the defense. With Branch injured, Abney II got more playing time, and with Wonnum injured as well, Moore saw an uptick. Rookie defensive tackle Skylar Gill-Howard got his second sack of the season, and Rolder got his first career sack.
This defense was injected with youth, primarily through the NFL Draft, and while some players weren’t expected to have a big impact this season, they are showing the coaching staff they deserve to be on the field with the veterans. The offense got younger along the offensive line; despite allowing four sacks on Goff, they helped the running game and Gibbs come alive. This team is showing their window isn’t closed yet; it’s lasting longer with how much young talent is on the team.
