VIKES STAY ON TOP WITH WIN OVER LIONS
DETROIT, MI.- Vikings/Lions battle in the North...Minnesota trying to stay pace with Philadelphia for the top spot in the NFC at 8-2 is looking to get another road win as QB Case Keenum is red hot winning seven straight.
Detroit who controls their own destiny at 6-4 is trying to get a wild card spot and stay in hunt for the division with a huge home win over the Vikes needs the highest paid QB in all of football Matt Stafford and their defense to play well. Stafford looks to continue to put Detroit in position.
These two teams not only have a long rivalry but history as well in the last match up on Thanksgiving, Lions won 14-7 as both defenses played strong. Who want this game more remains to be seen. in this 78 annual Thanksgiving day game at Ford Field in Detroit.
First quarter #7 Keenum play action 1 yard TD to #82 Rudolph with 5:29 left in the first quarter to open the game extra point blocked. Vikings up 6-0.
Lions looking to get in the game but a missed hand off by #9 Stafford to #21 Abdullah fumbles on their own 39 yard line, Vikings defense recovers turn over (first of the game by Detroit) with 4:27 remaining in the first quarter.
With Minnesota on the move thanks to their running attack, they get another score this time from Detroit's 9 yard line as QB Keenum scores on a keeper giving the Vikes a 13-0 lead with 3:55 remaining in quarter 1.
Second quarter the Lions finally get on the board with a Matt Prater 32 yard FG making it 13-3 Minnesota lead. But Minnesota comes right back as Keenum and Rudolph hook up again on a 22 yard score giving the Vikes a 20-3 lead.
Detroit's QB Stafford finally get the ball to the in zone for the first time on a 6 yard TD strike to #11 Marvin Jones Jr. Minnesota leads 20-10 at the half.
Minnesota open the third on this Lions defense, a 46 yard run by #25 Murray and 3 plays later punches it in from the 2 for the touchdown capping off a 4 play 75 yard execution giving the Vikes a 17 pt lead 27-10 with 12:52 remaining in quarter 3.
Detroit QB Stafford on a 3rd and 10 finally convert on their first of the game to Jones, Jr. keeping the drive alive was able to to score on man coverage a 14 yard TD to the tightend #87 Fells but was overturned, Lions settle for a Matt Prater FG instead. 27-13 Minnesota with 7:08 in the 3rd. After a three and out by Minnesota, the Lions get another Prater FG; 50 yarder pulling with 11 pts 27-16 with 1:03 remaining.
Fourth Quarter Lions opened up in great field position at the Vikes 39 yard line as Stafford fights off the defenders a throws a 43 yard TD to Jones, Jr. (2nd of the game ) in double coverage to make it a 4 pt game 27-23 with 14:16 remaining.
On a 2nd and 14 Vikes QB Keenum hits #14 Diggs for a 37 yard strike down to the Lions 20 yard line to keep the drive alive only to settle for a FG due to the Lions defense by #4 Forbath a 36 yarder 30-23 with 3:42 to go.
Lions on 4th and 8 QB Stafford was pick off by #29 Rhodes, Forbath 25 yard FG was block but a offside penalty was call against the Lions special teams putting the Vikes in the win column game over 30-23 Minnesota.
Minnesota (9-2) all around game under head coach Mike Zimmerman was on point, they played aggressive throughout the contest, QB protection, offensive containment on the defense, and WR's seeing the man-to-man coverage. QB Case Keenum has now made a strong case (no pun intended ) to finally be an elite and threating QB in the league which was all key for the win.
Detroit (6-5) still got a lot of work to do if they want to stay alive in the race for the Wild card with teams breathing down their necks the defense has to play better QB Matthew Stafford can do so much, Head Coach Jim Caldwell needs to incorporate more of the running game to allow Stafford to open more of the pass which was key for the loss.
