The Vikings are undefeated no more.
Despite losing several players on defense — including linebacker Jack Campbell — the Lions were able to beat the Vikings 19-15 behind an outstanding performance from running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Gibbs put the Lions ahead with a 30-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter. He finished the game with 153 yards on 23 carries, plus two catches for 15 yards.
Sione Vaki was also valuable in the run game, taking 11 carries for 65 yards.
Goff finished 18-of-25 for 176 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
On the other side, Kyler Murray had a middling day, going 17-of-29 for 210 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. His best throws of the day came on a drive in the fourth quarter, with a 51-yard bomb to Jordan Addison leading to an 8-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Hockenson.
But Murray was also the team’s leading rusher with 35 yards on four attempts, signaling the ineffectiveness of the run game.
Murray and the Vikings’ offense continued to struggle to get the ball to Justin Jefferson, who had just five catches for 33 yards with a touchdown on nine targets. The Fox broadcast showed Jefferson expressing some frustration on the sideline toward the end of the game.
Of the several injuries suffered by the Lions’ defense, linebacker Jack Campbell’s was the most concerning. Campbell was taken off the field immobilized on a backboard and transported to a local hospital to evaluate a neck injury after going down in the second half.
With the win, the Lions improve to 5-2 after consecutive divisional wins. The club will be on the road to face the Dolphins in Week 9.
Minnesota falls to 6-1 with its first loss of the season. The Vikings will be at home to face the Bills on Monday night next week.