Vikes at Lions Game Wrap: No Turkeys in Motown as Vikes Get a Big Win
Joe Oberle
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For the second year in a row, the Vikings travelled to Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, but this year they came away with the victory—perhaps the biggest win of the season for Minnesota. They started strong and held on for a 30-23 win (their seventh in a row) and a three game lead in the NFC North.
The Vikings, riding more decent play by their “backup” quarterback Case Keenum, and another solid performance by the defense broke a three-game losing streak to the Lions, taking a huge step toward their postseason hopes.
Now 9-2 and in the driver’s seat for the division, the Vikings get a nice long rest and then head to Atlanta to take on the Falcons, who have suddenly righted their ship. The Vikings need another victory next week to keep afloat for a higher playoff seed.
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Native Texan Case Keenum got his chance to finally play in a Thanksgiving day game like he watch the heroes of his youth (the Dallas Cowboys) do—and he made the most of it. Keenum once again had a sixth sense in the pocket, eyes in the back of his head and legs to extend plays. He started the offense rolling quickly, building a 17-point lead, and did enough the rest of the way to get the win. He was 21 of 30 for 282 yards and two touchdowns (for a rating 121.8 rating). Keenum won the job and has proven that it is his. And the Vikings keep rolling as a result.
“I am very grateful being a Viking,” Keenum told FOX after the game. And Vikings fans should be grateful as well.
Kyle Rudolph continues his return to relevance in the scoring column for the Vikings. Last season’s touchdown scoring leader, Rudolph has bided his time waiting to get more targets ahs been making up for lost time. With two touchdowns against the Lions, Rudolph now has four touchdowns on the season. Rudolph’s stats (???) included a nice 34-yard catch and run along the sideline that set up a score before halftime. Rudy is coming on for the Vikings and definitely makes the offense. (In other receiving news worth noting, Adam Thielen passed 1,000 yards receiving for the Vikings—the first player to do it since Sidney Rice did it in 2009.)
The Vikings defense once again stood their ground, stifled the running game (53 yards) and held the Lions to just 17 first downs. They bottled quarterback Matt Stafford, who came into the game on the roll. There were some rough spots in the second half, but we all slow down a bit after feasting on a lot of turkey—like the Vikings did on the Lions in the first half. The defense is the key—they’re always the key—and they will be going forward to win the division and make noise in the playoffs.
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Latavius Murray doesn’t look like Adrian Peterson when he is running the ball for the Vikings, but lately he has resembled him a bit with his bruising runs, decent vision and even a long, 46-yarder to set up one of his scores. (There was even a play when he danced behind the line and lost four yards.) On the day, Murray had 20 carries for 84 yards and two TDs—he was feasting when given the chance.
The offensive line gave up their first sack in seven games, enough said. As head coach Mike Zimmer said last week, the offensive line is the biggest key to the improvement of the offense. There were some rough spots, but they came though with enough holes and enough clean pockets to go smiling to their Thanksgiving dinner.
The special teams snafus were a big of a turkey on Thursday. Kicker Kai Forbath had two kicks blocked in the first half. The blame can’t be put on Forbath, even though he leads the league with most missed extra points (five). On the PAT, the Lions defense made a good play in blowing up long snapper Kevin McDermott. And blocking the kick. And a bad hold by Ryan Quigley led to a botched field goal. This group needs to tighten things up for the stretch run.
Should be Ending
The taunting penalty called on Vase Keenum after being tackled short of the line was a bad call. You should have to be taunting a player before they are able to throw a flag and call taunting. Keenum threw the ball out of frustration and it hit inadvertently hit a Lions player in the foot—he had no intentions of “taunting” his opponent. It doesn’t matter (to me) if the play fits the letter of the law—it wasn’t a good call. Now about that PI call that didn’t get made on a pass intended for Stefon Diggs . . . .
The Thanksgiving game touchdown celebration was theatrical, timely and well, silly. But I guess that’s what they’re all about. So, this day, I will give thanks that they Vikings scored touchdowns and have the opportunity to put on a little holiday program. (End of OG rant)
Can the Vikings have Thanksgiving off next year? Two years in a row of cramming turkey down my gullet during halftime is enough for me. Not sure why the NFL gave them two in a row, but I would like Thanksgiving off next season. I would be so thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!