By Brice Duhamel — December 11, 2022 at 10:38 p.m.
With a fifth victory in six games, the Lions are more than ever in the race for the play-offs.
Detroit Lions (6-7) – Minnesota Vikings (10-3) : 34-23
The Lions have confirmed they are in good shape. Despite a sick and greatly limited Jeff Okudah, the defense proved intractable on the ground, allowing an average per run of only 1.3 yards. On the other side of the ball, Jared Goff (27/39, 330 yards, 3TDs) and company walked on the Vikings defense, totaling 464 yards.
For Minnesota, it will be necessary to wait before celebrating the division title. However, Kirk Cousins (31/41, 425 yards, 2TDs) and Justin Jefferson (11 receptions, 223 yards) were in good shape. Unfortunately for the violets, the defense, deprived of Harrison Smith, was not able to cause the slightest stop in the second half.
Detroit capitalizes on opposing mistakes
Sometimes it’s better to punt. In a close first half, the two teams tried, without success, to force their destiny on the fourth attempt. If this failure had no consequences for the Lions, that of the Vikings will lead to the first points of the match. The violets return the ball to the premises on their 46 yards, and Jared Goff punishes immediately. Jameson Williams’ first career reception is a touchdown, 7-0.
Jared Goff ➡️ Jameson Williams : TD Lions ????#MINvsDET #OnePride
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— TDActu.com – NFL News ???? (@TDActu) December 11, 2022
Well helped by the opposing penalties, Minnesota responds immediately and Dalvin Cook (15 races, 23 yards, 1TD, 1 fumble) puts the two teams tied. An exchange of punts later, Detroit starts its possession once more in the opposing camp, taking advantage of a good punt return. Goff sanctions once more by connecting this time with DJ Chark (6 receptions, 94 yards, 1TD). Once once more, Minnesota is on track to equalize immediately, but Cook lets the ball escape on a run 3 yards from the endzone. Thanks to his defense, the Lions keep the advantage at halftime, 14-7.
This time they won’t come back
The defenses seem to take over on the restart, with a quick stop on either side. But the Lions surprise everyone with a fake punt that saves them 42 yards. In their tracks, the locals widen the gap with a touchdown from Josh Reynolds (5 receptions, 51 yards, 1TD). As following each point conceded, Minnesota reacts and this time it has an impact on the score. On fourth attempt, Adam Thielen (7 receptions, 65 yards, 1TD) ends his race in the endzone. The two-point conversion is missed, 21-13.
Detroit does not want to relive the same scenario as in week 3 and continues to press on offense. On a 15-yard run, Justin Jackson scored the first touchdown of his season and gave his team a 15-point lead.
After an exchange of field goals, the locals left the Vikings only four minutes to attempt yet another improbable comeback. It starts pretty well with KJ Osborn’s touchdown bringing the purples to 8 points with almost 3 minutes left to play. The onside kick is recovered by Detroit which eats the clock and kills the match with a last field goal, final score 34-23.
