Coach Kevin O'Connell's Minnesota Vikings are no longer undefeated after losing 19-15 to the division rival Detroit Lions in Motown, a game that caused the coach to take a moment to speak on Jack Campbell's scary injury afterward. Justin Jefferson skipped postgame interviews after becoming visibly frustrated with QB Kyler Murray in Minnesota's close road loss.
The Vikings are now 6-1 on the season, a half-game ahead of the Lions and Chicago Bears as the smoke clears after a game that had a little bit of everything, except a victory for the visitors. The Vikings' usually stout defense gave up a lot of yards to Drew Petzing's multi-faceted Detroit offensive attack, a surprising result on the nation scene but one that made sense as Brian Flores' unit was due for a mini-letdown of sorts.
On offense, Kevin O'Connell's team got virtually nothing going in the run game, which put tons of pressure on Jefferson and Murray to lead the ball down the field against a Lions secondary that is rapidly improving in terms of its health and performances on the field.
Minnesota had less than 100 yards rushing and less than 200 yards passing on the day against an embattled defensive unit led by Detroit defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard. Here are three Vikings who deserve the most blame following the disappointing divisional loss.
Kevin O'Connell, head coach
O'Connell didn't seem to have a good game plan in the early going as the Vikings did not score in the first quarter while the Lions took a 3-0 lead. Offensive coordinator Brian Angelichio's players didn't get the job done as a fired-up Ford Field crowd made it difficult for them to execute.
O'Connell's leadership helped the Vikings take a 7-6 lead before halftime, but his locker room adjustments didn't work as the Lions began to wrest control of the game away from their rivals.
The game was a back-and-forth one as Jahmyr Gibbs and TJ Hockensen traded touchdowns for the Lions and Vikings, respectively, but the Vikings' adjustments weren't the right ones to secure the win. Jefferson added an awesome play, but he was kept quiet in the winning moments as Minnesota couldn't get over the hump.
O'Connell's team competed and bounced back, but they didn't show the same level of fight as their opponents which is both somewhat understandable and disconcerting. The Lions were fired up, playing for their fallen teammate Campbell, but the Vikings didn't match their level of focus and intensity which ultimately falls on O'Connell and his coaching staff.
Brian Flores, defensive coordinator
Flores has become the hottest name among NFL coaches and coordinators alike but his defense didn't play up to its lofty billing against Gibbs and the Lions.
Gibbs and his backup Sione Vaki shredded Minnesota time after time on the ground. The Lions racked up 230 yards rushing and Minnesota had no answers, which falls on Flores' shoulders along with his front seven and the rest of the Vikings' defense.
Gibbs and the Lions are tough to stop when the running game gets going because of Jared Goff's precision in the passing game. In the long-awaited matchup of irresistible force (Lions offense) versus immovable object (Vikings defense), the Lions' offense came out on top.
Petzing vs. Flores is a matchup that could decide who wins the NFC North this season. Both coordinators are budding superstars, but Petzing outfoxed Flores as the Lions' emerging offensive line pushed around the Vikes all day at Ford Field.
Article Continues BelowKyler Murray, Quarterback
Murray and the Vikings' offense had its moments, but ultimately the production was lacking against a below-average Lions defense. Murray hasn't been able to make his top player on offense, Justin Jefferson, happy and that's a glaring problem headed toward the second half of the season.
Murray showed superstar potential in his first few seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, but it's beginning to look like he simply isn't the same guy he was back then and that's bad news for a Vikings team with Super Bowl aspirations.
The Minnesota franchise had a title caliber QB and caretaker in Sam Darnold but they let him go and have been regretting it ever since. Murray completed 17-of-29 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception but it wasn't enough as Jefferson had just five catches for 33 yards and a touchdown.
Murray needs to work harder with Jefferson to get the intricacies of their passing connection down pat before the playoffs arrive. The Vikings QB has done a good job of finding Jordan Addison, TJ Hockensen and other secondary options, but the Minnesota offense doesn't scare anyone unless Jefferson is getting the ball 10 to 15 times per game.