The Minnesota Vikings failed to sack Drew Brees in their 30-20 loss last Sunday. One week later, they delivered one of their most suffocating defensive performances in recent memory in a 24-9 victory against the Detroit Lions to get to the bye week at 5-3-1.
Danielle Hunter, Tom Johnson, Sheldon Richardson and Everson Griffen led a relentless pass rush that terrorized Matthew Stafford, who’s had plenty of nightmarish games against the Vikings in the past, including a seven-sack outing in 2015 at Ford Field — but Sunday’s game was a notch worse as Stafford dropped back nearly 50 times.
Minnesota sacked Stafford 10 times: 3.5 for Hunter, 2.5 for Johnson and 1.5 for Everson Griffen. To cap it all, Hunter returned a Stafford fumble on an improvised lateral for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the game.
The Vikings defeated the Lions for the first time in three tries at U.S. Bank Stadium.
The Lions failed to capitalize on early red zone attempts that could have tied the game or given them the lead early. Instead they settled for field goals and played from behind throughout. Detroit trailed 17-6 at halftime and couldn’t get back in the game.
The Vikings got Dalvin Cook going in his return. Their starting back, playing on a proverbial pitch count, broke off a 70-yard run that swung the tide of the game in the second quarter. The Vikings’ second-year runner hadn’t played since Week 4 and told reporters he was curious to see how his hamstring would hold up when tested in the open field. His acceleration looked just fine as he blew past Lions defenders for his longest run of the season. Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass two plays later to put the Vikings ahead 14-6. Cook finished the game with 10 carries for 89 yards and four receptions for 20 yards.
Thielen was quiet as his 100-yard game streak came to an end at eight, recording just 22 yards on four catches. With Stefon Diggs out (ribs) and Thielen receiving frequent double teams, the Vikings turned to Laquon Treadwell and rookie Chad Beebe, who took the so-called Thielen route to make the team: impressing in tryouts, succeeding in the preseason and eventually getting elevated from the practice squad. Beebe made three catches for 21 yards, including two third-down conversions.
Cousins let the Lions in the game with a bad interception in the second quarter to Darius Slay, who appeared to crash down to double Thielen. But true to form, the defense stepped up after the Lions received a short field and sacked Stafford twice in the red zone. Matt Prater’s field goal cut the Lions deficit to 7-6, but that’s as close as they would get. Cook fumbled a Cousins pitch in the fourth quarter to give the Lions life, as well, but Hunter’s fumble return stifled their hopes for good.
Minnesota’s offense came out and scored immediately, driving 65 yards and nine plays, capping an efficient drive with Latavius Murray’s 1-yard plunge. Murray initially appeared to fumble with a recovery by Kyle Rudolph in the end zone, but the score was eventually awarded to Murray.
In the end, the Vikings were lifted by their most dominant unit in a convincing win — just what they were looking for heading into a much-needed week of rest.
The Vikings get a week off before embarking on two crucial division games against Chicago and Green Bay.
Plenty more to come from U.S. Bank Stadium on Minnesota’s 24-9 victory.
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