Few Lions players were willing to blame rust for their 27-24 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday. Still, Detroit found themselves outmatched across all three phases of the game—a rare sight even in losses under head coach Dan Campbell.
Aside from the opening drive, which started on their own 28-yard line, and a late-game scramble, the Lions struggled to consistently reach the red zone, a recurring issue this season. One major factor was a subpar showing in the trenches. With the team now 1-2 in the NFC North, there are plenty of questions as they head into consecutive road games against Washington and Philadelphia.
 Jared Goff delivered a strong individual performance despite the loss. He completed nearly 70% of his passes, threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, and posted a 108.4 passer rating without turning the ball over. Minnesota’s aggressive blitzing led to five sacks, making his day challenging, but Goff’s play was hardly the reason for the defeat.
Detroit’s rushing attack struggled significantly, posting one of the worst performances under Campbell. Only David Montgomery scored on the ground, but his third-quarter fumble gave Minnesota a short field and a 10-point advantage. Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for just 65 yards on 3.3 yards per carry, and the offensive line couldn’t open consistent running lanes.
The pass catchers largely did their part. Sam LaPorta gained 66 of the 72 yards on the first drive and scored the opening touchdown. Amon-Ra St. Brown caught nine of 13 targets for 97 yards, including critical plays on the final drive. Jameson Williams contributed four catches for 66 yards, highlighted by a 37-yard touchdown that kept the comeback hopes alive.
The Vikings dominated the line of scrimmage. Minnesota pressured Goff on nearly half of his dropbacks, resulting in five sacks and consistent disruption. Detroit struggled to recognize Minnesota’s disguised blitzes, an issue that hadn’t been as severe under former OC Ben Johnson.
The run defense initially struggled, allowing Aaron Jones Sr. 78 yards on nine carries (8.7 yards per attempt). Even discounting a 31-yard run, he still averaged nearly six yards per carry. After Jones exited with an injury, the Lions contained Jordan Mason and managed to sack quarterback McCarthy five times despite his mobility.
Shaun Dion Hamilton’s unit performed reasonably well but made notable errors. Alex Anzalone lost McCarthy on a scoring play and slipped on a 25-yard swing pass. Defensive ends Campbell and Barnes recorded two of the team’s five sacks. Run defense issues were a team problem, not theirs alone, and a questionable late flag also marred the unit’s effort.
Terrion Arnold recorded his first career interception and played a largely mistake-free game. Amik Robertson did solid work on Justin Jefferson but still allowed a touchdown. T.J. Hockenson scored on a reception aided by defensive lapses, including Thomas Harper’s positioning and Arthur Maulet’s misstep. McCarthy completed only 56% of passes, but many came in crucial moments
 The unit had a rough outing. Miles Price returned a kickoff 61 yards to set the tone, and a 99-yard return was only nullified by a penalty. Jake Bates had a low field-goal attempt blocked, and return man Jacob Saylors struggled to gain yardage
  Detroit’s effort fell short in both preparation and execution. The defense faltered early and in key moments, but the offense’s inefficiency was most glaring. The Lions converted only five of 17 third downs, and the tempo remained slow until desperation set in. With so many weapons at their disposal, the team’s inability to sustain drives is concerning.
