EAGAN, Minn. — Following a close loss to the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell introduced a unique term to describe his team’s performance. “It’s just these little self-inflicteds,” O’Connell remarked, underscoring the impact of pre-snap penalties and other seemingly insignificant errors that contributed to the 31-29 defeat on Sunday. “I’ve got to get that stuff fixed. As we strive to achieve at our competitive level, we must avoid actions that give other teams an advantage.”
With the loss, the Vikings now share a top spot in the competitive NFC North with the Lions at a record of 5-1. Despite this setback, the Vikings demonstrated they are equipped to remain strong contenders in the division and beyond. However, the Lions effectively exploited the Vikings’ vulnerabilities by utilizing Jared Goff’s precise passing to counteract blitzes, while their running back Jahmyr Gibbs’ speed and an aggressive secondary led to a pivotal interception, securing the Vikings’ first loss of the season.
“In a heavyweight battle like this, it comes down to situational football,” remarked safety Josh Metellus, acknowledging that the Vikings fell short in crucial circumstances.
The critical moments included missed opportunities by quarterback Sam Darnold, particularly an incomplete pass on third down with less than three minutes remaining when the Vikings were leading 29-28. Earlier, after recovering a fumble for a touchdown by Ivan Pace, a desperate two-point conversion attempt also highlighted the team’s struggles. Midway through the fourth quarter, after obtaining a new set of downs at the Detroit 32-yard line, O’Connell opted for a reverse pass that Justin Jefferson wisely turned into a modest three-yard run as the Lions were prepared for the trick play. Subsequently, Darnold faced back-to-back sacks, which ultimately led to a failed field goal attempt.
“What I want to see is the little things that really good teams do to give yourself the best chance to win football games like this,” O’Connell stated, emphasizing the need for improvement.
On a brighter note, running back Aaron Jones made a significant impact on the offense. Despite battling a lingering hamstring injury, Jones had his strongest performance against the Lions, averaging 6.82 yards per touch. He currently ranks sixth in the league for average yards from scrimmage per game. Under O’Connell’s leadership, the running game has proven to be more efficient than in the previous two seasons.
However, the Vikings’ defensive pressure was inconsistent; they recorded four sacks, but much of the effectiveness was concentrated at the beginning and end of the game. During critical stretches, Goff often had ample time to make plays with open receivers.
Looking at individual performances, rookie kicker Will Reichard has been commendably consistent, successfully making all three field goals on Sunday, including a long 57-yarder. Had it not been for a late penalty, O’Connell might have attempted to send Reichard out for a 68-yard kick.
Conversely, rookie linebacker Dallas Turner saw limited action, participating in only four defensive snaps against the Lions, a season low. He has struggled to make an impact since returning from a knee injury suffered in Week 2. However, O’Connell remains optimistic about Turner’s future contributions, stating, “We’re going to continue to see Dallas have an impact. It may be a growing thing as we go here, but I’ve got a ton of confidence in Dallas.”
In terms of injuries, the outlook appears favorable. Tight end T.J. Hockenson and guard Dalton Risner are both nearing their returns, with Hockenson’s potential debut looming against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. If necessary, the Vikings could afford to delay Hockenson’s return for one week and Risner’s for two weeks before placing them ineligible for the current season. Linebacker Blake Cashman also has a chance to return after sitting out the Lions game due to a toe injury.
A key statistic to note is the Vikings’ impressive plus-55 points differential in the first quarter, the best in the NFL, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers trailing at plus-29. Last season, the Vikings were ranked 27th with a minus-29 points differential in the first quarter.
Looking ahead, the Vikings have a short turnaround to prepare for their next game, which can serve as both a chance for redemption and a physical challenge. The upcoming matchup against the Rams (2-4) marks a significant test as they aim to bounce back from the recent disappointment. O’Connell previously served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator after their Super Bowl success before stepping into his current role with the Vikings.