Vikings

LIVE BLOG: Lions Take Stranglehold on Division With 16-13 Win

Photo Credit: Brian Curski

UPDATE (2:41): A lot to digest at the end there. Vikings convert a 3rd and 2 but have it waved off due to an illegal formation call, which I’m sure will get examined in the coming hours. Bradford then it forced into a tough throw on 3rd and 7 and has it picked by Darius Slay. Cordarrelle Patterson came very close to stripping the football from Slay, but he was ruled down. Matt Prater hits a game-winner at the horn. Vikings essentially trail by two games in the division now and will need to start thinking about the Wild Card race. A devastating loss.

UPDATE (2:31): Wow, Detroit had the ball 2nd and inches inside the Vikings 30-yard line and threw it twice — one incomplete and one blown up by Eric Kendricks. Lions settle for a field goal, and the Vikings have a great opportunity to win it at the wire. As far as field goal range for Kai Forbath, I’d say he has about 55 yards in that leg.

UPDATE (2:26): Here we go again. Detroit making quick work of a 99-yard field and are already in field goal range, but that would be a victory for the Vikings at this point. Lions probably are already contemplating how they can score a touchdown and leave the Vikings as little time as possible. Waynes being picked on.

UPDATE (2:20): Game ball to Jeff Locke? Vikings punter has four punts, three of them inside the 20, and the last one pinning Detroit at the 3-yard line — actually the 1.5-yard line after a holding call. What a season he’s had.

UPDATE (2:10): Minnesota is getting immense pressure in the second half once again. Zimmer is calling a great game. Other than letting Stafford escape on a 3rd and 15 to run for a first down on a freelance play, the defense has been covering brilliantly, tackling soundly and stopping the run. Just over nine minutes left for the Vikings to hold and recapture the division lead.

UPDATE (2:02): The Vikings have now played conservatively for two field goals this half, not making a single end zone throw on two red zone trips. Minnesota leads by 3 and now faces a Detroit team that’s used to this situation. They’ve trailed in all 11 games in the fourth quarter this season and have won six. Last week they trailed Jacksonville and scored a TD on their opening fourth quarter drive to take the lead.

UPDATE (1:57): Two big Vikings runs in a row! Apocalypse! Cordarrelle Patterson weaves through the defense on a reverse, then Matt Asiata gashes up the middle. Vikings will begin the fourth quarter at Detroit’s 10-yard line. Feels like the momentum has shifted at Ford Field. Vikings’ offense is at its most creative when it uses motion to create misdirection.

UPDATE (1:53): Vikings use a Wildcat play to pick up a first down, then make a rare third down conversion to Cordarrelle Patterson. A few whispers of life for the offense as the third quarter winds down. Feels like a lead could hold in this game the way the defense has locked down.

UPDATE (1:39): A dump-off to Jerick McKinnon turned into a 41-yard gain and set up a field goal to tie the game at 10. There has not been a turnover in the game yet, and it feels like the first team to create one could swing the tide.

UPDATE (1:35): After both initial drives, which may have been scripted throughout the week, Minnesota and Detroit have combined for three points. Still 10-7 Detroit after both squads falter on their opening possessions of the second half. The Vikings are looking about as explosive as a squirt gun on offense.

UPDATE (1:28): Vikings continue to find themselves in unfavorable situations offensively. This time a Kyle Rudolph holding call sets them back and a third down pass to Jerick McKinnon in the flat isn’t nearly enough. For those complaining about short passes on third down, I think it’s the ultimately indictment of the offensive line. Minnesota doesn’t trust them enough to send Bradford deep in the pocket.

UPDATE (1:07): It’s halftime. The Vikings did a lot of dodging in that first half. The had a strip sack nullified on review (correctly). They had a long interception return by Detroit nullified by pass interference (probably correct). Trae Waynes got a miraculous hand in the air to prevent a Golden Tate touchdown. The officials gave the Vikings a very favorable ruling on the Lions’ 4th and 1 attempt. Then the refs stifled Detroit’s end-of-half drive with a questionable ruling on Andre Roberts not getting out of bounds.

Through 30 minutes, it’s a 10-7 Detroit lead with Minnesota getting the ball back to start the third quarter. The Lions statistically dominated the Vikings in the first half with double the total yardage, quadruple the rushing yardage and a hefty edge in time of possession. The Vikes need to fix several areas for this pivotal second half.

UPDATE (12:57): Minnesota just stopped Detroit on a 4th and 1 run to local kid Zach Zenner. Not only that, the Lions missed on a challenge attempt and are out of them for the game. On an editorial note, officials are far too resistant to adjusting spots on challenges and then simply remeasuring. At least grant the coach a few inches of movement and don’t make them burn a timeout.

UPDATE (12:49): The Vikings’ first big decision of the game backfires as they miss on a 4th and 2 pass. Sam Bradford had two passes tipped at the line of scrimmage on that drive. Mike Zimmer has not been shy, now attempting 11 fourth down conversions this year.

UPDATE (12:43): Sam Bradford, as usual, has been extremely accurate today, but third and longs are so troublesome for the Vikings with this offensive line, which is now missing Joe Berger (concussion). Former Harvard center Matt Birk Nick Easton is now snapping the football.

UPDATE (12:38): Ah, what to think about Trae Waynes? One second he’s giving too much cushion, the next he makes a play like that. After being injured at the end of the first quarter, Waynes returned to the game and looked much better on that drive, swatting away a would-be touchdown from Golden Tate. Waynes is on a positive trajectory by making more and more plays like that one, but he still needs to eliminate the lapses.

UPDATE (12:30): I wrote this week that the Vikings are averaging just 2.6 yards per carry on non-Wildcat snaps. It’s deep enough in the season to accept that this could be a historically bad rushing offense — most of it due to the offensive line. Minnesota has six carries for 10 yards in the early going.

UPDATE (12:24): Vikings just missed a great opportunity to get the ball back by letting Stafford sneak out of the pocket on 3rd and 10 and run for a first down. Minnesota’s third down defense has been very poor the past four weeks, right around 50 percent, after they had a stretch of holding teams to 9 for 41 on third down.

UPDATE (12:20): That recent overthrow not withstanding, Matthew Stafford is seriously playing at the highest level of his career since losing Calvin Johnson to retirement. Lions folks will tell you he’s easily the biggest reason why they’ve been so clutch in the fourth quarter.

UPDATE (12:16): End of one quarter with both teams finishing off roughly seven-minute possessions to make it 7-7. Bad news at the end of the quarter as Trae Waynes limps off the field, leaving the Vikings with only Mackensie Alexander as a backup. Mike Zimmer has been critical of Alexander this season, who’s been rough around the edges in his few appearances. The way Stafford is looking, losing Waynes for Alexander could be detrimental.

UPDATE (12:10): Vikings answer back with a touchdown of their own on the first drive, but it wasn’t without some fits and starts. Laquon Treadwell drew two Lions penalties on third down, and Sam Bradford narrowly avoided a strip sack. Minnesota should be thankful.

It didn’t seem like they missed Stefon Diggs all that much. With the quick-pass offense the Vikings run, Diggs’ best trait is his yards after catch, but Thielen and Patterson should be able to fill that void pretty closely. Yes, it’s one fewer weapon on the field, but it shouldn’t impinge terribly on what the Vikings do offensively.

UPDATE (11:55): Remember, Vikings moved the ball well against Detroit last game with over 330 yards, but they totally lost their bearings in Detroit territory. Had a field goal blocked, missed on a 4th and 1 and penalized themselves into a punt after reaching the red zone. With Deandre Levy still out for the Lions, Minnesota should still be able to move the ball, but can they score?

UPDATE (11:50): Vikings have been miserable at starting on the road this year. In fact, they haven’t held a first quarter lead. They’ve gotten behind by scores of 10-0, 10-0, 13-0 and 14-0. Now Detroit has a 6-0 lead after a methodical drive and a 2-yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin.

UPDATE (11:41): Aretha Franklin is almost done with the National Anthem.

UPDATE (11:35): Aretha Franklin just began the National Anthem.

UPDATE (11:30): Alright, hope you’re all having a blessed Thanksgiving and have a comfortable place to watch the game. As far as predictions go, I projected a 20-19 Detroit Lions win yesterday on Locked On Vikings with Sage Rosenfels. I just think Minnesota’s habit of starting slowly on the road and their inability to finish in the red zone will bite them. Should be an extremely close game, though.

Follow Sam on Twitter.

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