Vikings Offense Can’t Get Started in 17-3 Loss to Lions

Over past years the Vikings got used to having their way with the Detroit Lions at home, but that was then and this is now.

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The Vikings no longer play in the noisy, intimidating confines of the Metrodome, where the Lions suffered so many frustrating defeats.

It’s also safe to say the Lions of old seldom had a defense as good as the one they’re sporting in 2014.

Even without Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush, the Lions were able to find more than enough offense to beat the Vikings today. And it was all thanks to a completely dominating effort by the Lions’ D.

The Lions’ front-4 had no problems tearing up a Vikings offensive line that has fallen far short of expectations so far this year. Pressure came from the edges and up the middle against Teddy Bridgewater, who looked every bit the rookie in just his second NFL start.

Even on those rare occasions when Teddy got a little time, it was difficult for him to find open receivers. Norv Turner is usually good at finding ways to get players open but today was not vintage Norv.

Place the blame anywhere you want to place it (I’m sure you’ll have your pet player to hammer on). The fact is this was a total team suckfest for the Vikings on offense, going up against a defense that could be the very best in the league.

The Vikings’ defense at least can come out of this game holding their heads high, knowing they gave it a good effort. The Vikes got in Matthew Stafford’s face plenty, though they never could force the big mistake that might have tipped the game in their favor.

With Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush on the bench with injury, the Lions didn’t really have the weapons to spread out the Vikings’ defense or stretch it or really challenge it. Detroit did manage to exploit the Vikings with up-the-middle runs but that was about it.

With the Lions’ D totally flattening the Vikings, Detroit didn’t really need that much offense anyway. An early strong series put Detroit up 7-0 and that would be enough. It didn’t matter this week that the Lions can’t find a kicking game.

Mike Zimmer won’t be satisfied with the way this game went, obviously, but he has to be happy about some of the individual performances on his defense. Josh Robinson and Xavier Rhodes continue to make strides at cornerback. Gerald Hodges struggled early but recovered to make some good plays late.

Brian Robison and Tom Johnson looked good on the defensive line. And Anthony Barr continued to show that he is one of the NFL’s brightest young talents at linebacker.

The only thing the Vikings failed at defensively was getting the big turnover. One interception or fumble might have been enough to swing this game, but they couldn’t get it. The defensive effort was good but not good enough.

Offensively, the Vikings have a lot of work to do. Teddy Bridgewater came back to earth with a thud after that strong game against Atlanta. But we knew there would be ups-and-downs for the rookie.