3 Minnesota Vikings to blame for Week 14 loss to Lions
By Scott Rogust
The Minnesota Vikings blew a chance to clinch the NFC North title, as they fell to a determined Detroit Lions team. These three Vikings are the most to blame.
The Minnesota Vikings picked up 10 wins in the first 13 weeks of this season. It’s been far from a perfect year, but the Vikings have found ways to pick up wins. In Week 14, the Vikings had the chance to clinch the NFC North title for the first time since 2017, with a victory over the rival Detroit Lions.
Instead, the Vikings encountered a determined and motivated Lions team that is creeping their way up the Wild Card standings. Sure enough, it was Detroit who picked up the 34-23 victory, handing Minnesota their third loss of the season.
A loss is a loss, but the way the Vikings lost to a Lions team that is normally sitting in the cellar of the standings beat them rather convincingly. When it comes to who is at fault, these three Vikings come to mind.
3 Vikings to blame for Week 14 loss to Lions: Ed Donatell, Defensive Coordinator
Minnesota’s defense played a pivotal role in the loss in Week 14. They haven’t exactly had the best four-game stretch, surrendering 400 total yards of offense to the opposition in each contest. They did the same thing again in Detroit.
Defensive coordinator Ed Donatell deserves the blame.
Detroit’s offense was feasting on Sunday, picking up 464 total yards of offense. Quarterback Jared Goff had a great game, completing 27-of-39 pass attempts for 330 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams scored his first NFL touchdown on his first catch, which happened after the defense broke down and left him wide open down field.
Now, Donatell’s crew has made history. The wrong kind of history. This is now the fifth-straight game where they surrendered 400 yards of offense to the opposition, which is now a franchise record.
The Minnesota Vikings have allowed 464 total yards today vs the Detroit Lions
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 11, 2022
This is the 5th straight game the Vikings Defense have allowed at least 400 yards in a game, their longest streak in Franchise History pic.twitter.com/lVRhNGzjqs
In case you wanted to see the exact numbers of the five games in question, we have you covered:
- Week 10: 486 yards allowed in 33-30 win over Buffalo Bills
- Week 11: 458 yards allowed in 40-3 loss to Dallas Cowboys
- Week 12: 409 yards allowed in 33-26 win over New England Patriots
- Week 13: 486 yards allowed in 27-22 win over New York Jets
- Week 14: 464 yards allowed in 34-23 loss to Detroit Lions
This is not ideal for the Vikings, who hold the No. 2 seed in the NFC. There needs to be some adjustments made to find a solution for this defensive problem. If not, Minnesota could exit early from the playoffs.