Jared Goff wasn’t perfect in Detroit’s loss to Minnesota, but he also wasn’t the main reason for the defeat. Despite constant pressure, Goff protected the ball and made the most of limited opportunities. His best moment came in the second quarter when he escaped a sack and connected with David Montgomery for a 13-yard gain. Though the effort fell short, Goff led a strong late drive that kept the Lions in it, finishing 25-of-37 for 284 yards and two touchdowns — a solid outing under the circumstances.
The running game was another story. Detroit managed just 65 rushing yards on 20 attempts, showing serious struggles on the ground. While the offensive line deserves much of the blame, Jahmyr Gibbs had a tough day in pass protection, and Montgomery’s costly third-quarter fumble gave Minnesota prime field position to take control.
Early on, tight end Sam LaPorta looked sharp, grabbing three catches for 66 yards on the first drive. But the passing game soon lost rhythm, and production dipped until late in the game. Amon-Ra St. Brown was Goff’s go-to target during the Lions’ late push, while Jameson Williams provided a spark with a 34-yard touchdown. Despite flashes of life, the receiving group couldn’t keep the offense consistent throughout the game.
Up front, Detroit’s offensive line had one of its worst performances of the season. The Vikings’ defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, dialed up relentless blitzes that caused havoc. Goff was sacked five times and constantly hurried, while the run blocking was nearly non-existent. The line failed to open lanes for Gibbs or Montgomery, limiting them to short gains and preventing any explosive runs.
Defensively, the Lions’ front struggled to contain Minnesota’s ground attack. Before exiting with an injury, Aaron Jones gashed them for 78 yards on just nine carries, averaging nearly nine yards per run. Though Detroit recorded three sacks — with Aidan Hutchinson, Tyler Lacy, and Al-Quadin Muhammad each getting to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy — their inability to stop the run proved costly.
The linebackers held up relatively well. Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes both made key plays, including sacks and tackles for loss, though Campbell’s poor angle allowed McCarthy to scramble for a 9-yard touchdown. The unit played with energy but couldn’t fully make up for the defensive line’s struggles.
In the secondary, the Lions did a respectable job limiting star receiver Justin Jefferson. While he made a highlight one-handed touchdown and drew a crucial penalty against Amik Robertson, Detroit contained him to just 47 yards on six catches. Rookie Terrion Arnold added a bright spot with his first career interception, helping limit McCarthy to only 143 passing yards.
Special teams, however, were a disaster. A blocked field goal late in the fourth quarter crushed Detroit’s comeback hopes, while poor kickoff coverage repeatedly gave the Vikings great field position — including a 61-yard return. Mistakes in this phase of the game were decisive in the loss.
Coaching was also under the spotlight. Offensive coordinator John Morton’s play-calling lacked creativity and rhythm, failing to adjust to Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defense. The Lions went just 5-of-17 on third downs, a disappointing result after emphasizing improvement in that area. Head coach Dan Campbell did earn credit for a successful challenge on a key play, but overall, the team looked unprepared and unfocused after a bye week.
Detroit’s 27-24 loss to Minnesota was a frustrating one, defined by sloppy execution, weak protection, and missed chances. While Goff did his part to keep the Lions competitive, the breakdowns across the offense, special teams, and coaching staff told the real story.
