The NFL’s last undefeated team is no more. The Vikings finally took a loss, going down 19-15 in Detroit, and the 1972 Dolphins can pop the champagne once again. What started as a low-scoring slugfest blew up in the fourth quarter, with Detroit pulling off a critical win that completely changes the whole division picture.
Lions Claw Back Into It, But At What Cost?
Man, what a game for Detroit, but it came with a brutal price tag. This wasn’t just a regular win; this was absolutely huge for the Lions, keeping them from falling three games behind Minnesota. Instead, they’re only a game back, and they now hold the tie-breaker. Talk about a momentum shift! But seriously, how are they feeling after this one? Linebacker Jack Campbell was carted off the field after a terrifying collision with a teammate. He was one of *four* defensive starters who had to leave the game with injuries. Can you believe it? The crowd went silent when Campbell went down. Losing their defensive signal caller Campbell, their best defensive back Brian Branch, and their main sack guy outside of Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Wonnum, plus cornerback D.J. Reed late in the game? That’s just devastating. This defense was already vulnerable, ranked 26th in points allowed and dead last in expected points added coming into the game. It is going to be a massive stretch for them to keep up without three of their top players. Luckily, the offense showed up big time. Jahmyr Gibbs and Sione Vaki went absolutely wild in the fourth quarter, forcing five missed tackles on explosive runs and getting that crowd roaring again. The run game absolutely salvaged what could have been a completely miserable day in Detroit.
Vikings’ Defense Crumbles, Murray’s Questions Loom Large
While the Lions were battling through injuries, the Vikings just looked lost. Kyler Murray, man, he just kept struggling. The Vikings offense never really found its rhythm. And that defense? The one that has been carrying them all season long? It finally buckled in the second half. Jahmyr Gibbs had a field day, running all over them. Minnesota’s run defense completely whiffed, missing a season-high 16 tackles and giving up 164 rushing yards in the second half alone. That’s just unacceptable if you want to stay undefeated. Murray might have done just enough in the fourth quarter to quiet the immediate noise about his job, but let’s be real, the questions are still there. Big time. With the NFL trade deadline on November 10th coming up fast, the Vikings have some potentially awkward conversations ahead. Finding a competent quarterback midseason could be the only thing that saves Murray’s job. A Kirk Cousins reunion even seemed possible if the Raiders had lost to the Jets, but that didn’t happen, with Las Vegas only a game back from the final playoff spot in the AFC.
This win totally changes the landscape for both teams. The Lions, even with a battered defense, proved they can play with anyone as long as that offense keeps clicking, maybe even needing to hit 30 points a game now. For the Vikings, that undefeated dream is gone, and they’re left staring at a struggling quarterback and a defense that finally broke. It’s a long season, but these early trends are definitely telling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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