Aggressive Detroit Lions blow 2 double-digit leads, extend road losing streak in defeat against Vikings

DETROIT – The Detroit Lions blew two double-digit leads in Minneapolis as they heartbreakingly fell 28-24 to the Minnesota Vikings.

The Lions were aggressive all day Sunday, but with the money on the line, head coach Dan Campbell decided to play it safe, costing his team the game and extending the team’s road losing streak, which dates back to 2019.

“For me, I freaking regret my decision there at the end,” said Campbell. “I should have gone for it there on fourth down. I told the team that I should have gone for it.”

The Lions were up 24-21 with 1:14 remaining in the fourth quarter when they decided to play it safe and go for another field goal to put the team up six instead of going for the juggler, sealing the win and ending their road losing streak.

“Don’t get frazzled by it,” Campbell said. “I told the team it should sting; it shouldn’t taste good because you know we had that. I just good them that we got to learn from that. We got to learn from the plays that bit us in the expletive.”

Campbell continued:

As you know, there will be a lot of criticism placed on a number of guys, including myself and the players, which is natural. They all know it. You can’t go on the downs and ups. Last week was really good, and this week you know, just stay true to what it is and learn from our mistakes.”

The first mistake was returning to kicker Austin Seibert after he missed the chance to go up 3-0 on the opening drive.

The Lions coaching staff decided to go for it on fourth down six times, converting four, but they chose to play not to lose instead of playing to win.

Seibert’s miss led the Vikings down the field with massive chunk plays by wide receiver K.J. Osborn, who scored in just 25 seconds.

The first chunk play went to Osborn for 28 yards as the Viking got in field goal range. The second chunk play was the game-winner, and it, too, went for 28 yards.

If you watch the final drive again, you can see former Lions offensive tackle Lomas Brown shaking his head as Osborn scored in front of him.

Jared Goff

Lions quarterback Jared Goff had an excellent game as he completed 25-41 passes for 277 air yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but he takes full blame for the team’s meltdown.

“Full execution at the end of the game is how we’re going to be in one-score games,” said Goff. “The NFL is so good, so being in a position to win a game even once is a gift, and you need to take advantage of it, and we didn’t. I own a lot of that. We got two chances to put the game away today, and we didn’t.”

Jamaal Williams

Jamaal Williams filled in great for D’Andre Swift, who played minimal snaps due to a shoulder sprain. Williams finished the day with 20 carries for 87 yards and two scores in the losing effort.

Read: Lions lose Tracy Walker for season to Achilles injury; Swift could miss time with shoulder

Williams’s performance on Sunday (Sept. 25) made him the first Lions player to rush for multiple touchdowns in Minnesota since hall of fame running back Barry Sanders did it on Nov. 24, 1991. He’s also the fourth player in franchise history to produce two multi-rushing touchdown games within the first three games of a season.

But Lions fans will remember week three for Williams’ Hingle McCringleberry excessive celebration.

The Lions have fallen to 1-2 on the season, but they will look to get back on track as they’ll host the 1-2 Seattle Seahawks next Sunday at Ford Field.