The second-annual winter whiteout lived up to the hype. The Minnesota Vikings fought hard but at the end, four interceptions doomed them in a 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The game started with a long Lions drive of 14 plays and 75 yards that culminated in a David Montgomery touchdown. The Vikings eventually countered with a touchdown to Ty Chandler.
The Lions jumped up 17-7 after finding success against Brian Flores’ defense with in-breaking routes and swing passes to Jahmyr Gibbs. Pair that with the Vikings’ defense not being able to consistently tackle and you have a recipe for success.
The Vikings tried to swing things back into their favor. Nick Mullens found Justin Jefferson for a touchdown at the end of the first half and K.J. Osborn to start the second half, setting it up with a 47-yard deep post to get the ball inside the six-yard line.
The Lions set themselves up for success with two touchdowns to get a 30-21 lead followed by stopping the Vikings inside the 10-yard line to hold them to a field goal.
Justin Jefferson had arguably the play of the day. After a Mullens fumble brought the Vikings back to a third and 27, Jefferson skied high and caught a 27-yard pass to give the Vikings a first down. Mullens ruined it a few plays later with an interception that sealed the Lions first ever NFC North title.
A big factor for the Vikings was injuries to key players really impacted them as the game wore on. They lost TE T.J. Hockenson and OLB D.J. Wonnum to potentially season-ending knee injuries and WR Jordan Addison to an ankle injury. CB Mekhi Blackmon also went out with a shoulder injury.
The Vikings need a win next Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers to keep their playoff hopes alive.
