The Lions cost themselves the opportunity to retake the lead in the NFC North on Sunday with a 27-24 loss to the Vikings. With the Panthers upsetting the Packers at Lambeau Field, a win at home off their bye against a quarterback making his third career start would have propelled the Lions to the top of the division.
Instead of the Lions capitalizing on a favorable matchup and making their statement in the division, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was the story of the game. In his first game back from a high ankle sprain, McCarthy scored three touchdowns and led Minnesota to a much-needed victory. Meanwhile the swarming Vikings defense and special teams came through, sacking Jared Goff five times, holding them to 65 rushing yards and blocking a Lions field goal attempt.
