Lions vs. Vikings game recap: Everything we know

It was deja vu all over again, in the words of Yogi Berra. The Detroit Lions fell, 19-17, to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 5 on a last-second field goal in U.S. Bank Stadium.

It’s the exact same score and outcome as the Lions Week 3 loss to Baltimore. This kick was only from 54 yards from Vikings kicker Greg Joseph, who had earlier missed short at the same goal from just 49 yards.

The Lions defense fought valiantly and was able to make some key plays. The offense ran well but struggled to seriously threaten the Vikings defense down the field all afternoon.

Detroit falls to 0-5 while the Vikings improve to 2-3.

Final score: Vikings 19, Lions 17

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Keys to the game

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Detroit’s defense played pretty well, but the Vikings were able to capitalize on a couple of mistakes. Missed tackles doomed the Lions on two impressive plays by Vikings RB Alexander Mattison, including a 15-yard touchdown reception where three separate Lions missed tackles.

The Lions offense just couldn’t get anything working when it counted. The Lions were just 3-for-10 on third downs and that includes several plays where the throw was designed to be short of the needed yardage. Some questionable choices on the subsequent fourth downs also seemed to go the way of the Vikings.

When the Lions did try to attack with something other than the screen or the run, it did not work. Jared Goff struggled to find open receivers and gradually succumbed to the more intense Vikings pass rush, which perked up as the game progressed.

Detroit’s defense came up with some big plays, none bigger than a late fumble created and recovered by Jalen Reeves-Maybin. It led to the go-ahead touchdown from D’Andre Swift and a gutsy 2-pt. conversion pass from Goff to KhaDarel Hodge to seize the late lead with just 37 seconds remaining.

But the Lions defense got passive and paid the price. After successfully bringing pressure on the penultimate play from scrimmage, the Lions rushed just three and allowed Cousins time to find an open receiver in Joseph’s range.

It was over when...

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

The game literally ended with Greg Joseph’s successful field goal. It should have been over–in the Vikings’ advantage–several minutes earlier before RB Alexander Mattison was stripped of the ball by linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. That takeaway gave the Lions unexpected life and the offense capitalized with the go-ahead touchdown.

Detroit’s defense could have ended it with one last play, but a soft shell zone did not work behind a 3-man rush.

Top 3 stars of the game

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Third star: S Tracy Walker – 9 tackles, one TFL, one PD

Second star: WR Amon-Ra St. Brown – seven receptions on eight targets, 65 receiving yards

First star: RB D’Andre Swift – 11 carries for 51 yards and one TD, plus six receptions for 53 yards

Stats

(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)

What's next for the Lions?

(AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)

The Lions return home in search of their first victory. Detroit welcomes the Cincinnati Bengals to Ford Field in Week 6. Cincinnati fell to 3-2 with a home overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.

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