Minnesota Vikings vs Detroit Lions: Week 9 game review
By Adam Carlson
Overall Impression
This game might have been more heartbreaking than any other Minnesota Vikings game this season. Having the win dangled in front of the team only to have it pulled away is sometimes worse than feeling like there is no chance.
Many fans will put this game on kicker Blair Walsh. The missed extra point, off-target block, and decision to go for it instead of kick the field goal left quite a few possible points on the field for the Vikings. However, there were other opportunities as well that were major contributing factors in the loss.
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What hurts the most is likely that Minnesota now knows what it is like to lose in U.S. Bank Stadium, and doing so to a division rival makes it even more painful. And having that happen in overtime in such a heartbreaking way makes it even worse!
Still, there are a lot of positive things to take out of this game. Cordarrelle Patterson and Laquon Treadwell are getting more involved. Sam Bradford is getting rid of the ball quicker. The offensive line is getting help and doing a better job in protection. And the Vikings scored a running touchdown!
It’s hard to find joy in a loss, but it’s obvious that there were definite improvements in the gameplan and execution coming into the game. So yes, this loss will sting, but there could be some much better stuff on the horizon.
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Up next, the Minnesota Vikings will be travelling to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Redskins. This will be another huge challenge for the struggling NFC North team, as they have now dropped 3 games in a row and the division is slipping through the cracks in their fingers.